Samuel Johnson

We love to expect, and when expectation is either disappointed or gratified, we want to be again expecting.

The next best thing to knowing something is knowing where to find it.

More knowledge may be gained of a man’s real character by a short conversation with one of his servants than from a formal and studied narrative, begun with his pedigree and ended with his funeral.

Nothing is more common than mutual dislike, where mutual approbation is particularly expected.

Parents and children seldom act in concert: each child endeavors to appropriate the esteem or fondness of the parents, and the parents, with yet less temptation, betray each other to their children.

The endearing elegance of female friendship.

We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.

All theory is against freedom of the will; all experience for it.

Defeat in itself was part and parcel of the great gambling game of politics. A man who could not accept it and try again was not of the stuff of which leaders are made.

That which we call character is a reserved force which acts directly by presence, and without means. It is conceived of as a certain undemonstrable force, a familiar or genius, by whose impulses the man is guided, but whose counsels he cannot impart.

If a better system is thine, impart it; if not, make use of mine.

When you’re first figuring yourself out, you care so much about what people think of you.

The trouble with her is that she lacks the power of conversation but not the power of speech.

Man is the only animal of which I am thoroughly and cravenly afraid of.

Love has features which pierce all hearts, he wears a bandage which conceals the faults of those beloved. He has wings, he comes quickly and flies away the same.

If I have said something to hurt a man once, I shall not get the better of this by saying many things to please him.

You. Not wanting me. Was the beginning of me wanting myself. Thank you.

Make your own Bible. Select and collect all the words and sentences that in all your readings have been to you like the blast of a trumpet.

Logic is like the sword

A Man in Business must put up many Affronts, if he loves his own Quiet.

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most.