Samuel Johnson

A Judge may be a farmer; but he is not to geld his own pigs. A Judge may play a little at cards for his own amusement; but he is not to play at marbles, or chuck farthing in the Piazza.

Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome.

Is not a patron, my lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and, when he has reached ground, encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labors, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it.

He that outlives a wife whom he has long loved, sees himself disjoined from the only mind that has the same hopes, and fears, and interest; from the only companion with whom he has shared much good and evil; and with whom he could set his mind at liberty, to retrace the past or anticipate the future. The continuity of being is lacerated; the settled course of sentiment and action is stopped; and life stands suspended and motionless.

I would not give half a guinea to live under one form of government other than another. It is of no moment to the happiness of an individual.

When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.

To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.

Get a black suit and just freeload, problem it’s too God damned late now even to be any of the things I never wanted to be.

Ice-cream is exquisite – what a pity it isn’t illegal.

Well, dinner would have been splendid!

Always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals.

Preaching is the expression of moral sentiments applied to the duties of life.

Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over.

Whether he knew it or not, the life he lived was his penance. Punishing himself, for what he believes are his sins. Consciously or subconsciously, he creates the world he lives in. Never believing that he is deserving happiness, deserving joy. His self-destructive nature, in his eyes, and his eyes only, is justified. Everyone is deserving absolution, but he needs to understand, that he is the only one able to forgive himself.

I will not say do not weep, for not all tears are evil.

People become attached to their burdens sometimes more than the burdens are attached to them.

Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each. Let them be your only diet, drink, and botanical medicines.

The measure of a master is his success in bringing all men around to his opinion twenty years later.

I’m out there to clean the plate. Once they’ve read what I’ve written on a subject, I want them to think, ‘That’s it!’ I think the highest aspiration people in our trade can have is that once they’ve written a story, nobody will ever try it again.

Very few people can afford to be poor.

Usually the modest person passes for someone reserved, the silent for a sullen person.