Samuel Johnson

At seventy-seven it is time to be in earnest.

Of the blessings set before you make your choice, and be content.

Poetry is the art of uniting pleasure with truth.

Words are but the signs of ideas.

And then, Sir, there is this consideration, that if the abuse be enormous, nature will rise up, and claiming her original rights, overturn a corrupt political system.

What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.

The traveler that resolutely follows a rough and winding path will sooner reach the end of his journey than he that is always changing his direction, and wastes the hour of daylight in looking for smoother ground and shorter passages.

All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes.

The savage bows down to idols of wood and stone: the civilized man to idols of flesh and blood.

Refrain from asking what going to happen tomorrow, and everyday that fortune grants you, count as gain.

Today is Trinity Sunday. Centuries ago words were written to be a call and a spur to the faithful servants of Truth and Justice: Arm yourselves, and be ye men of valor, and be in readiness for the conflict; for it is better for us to perish in battle than to look upon the outrage of our nation and our altar. As the Will of God is in Heaven, even so let it be.

A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep.

Argue for your limitations and, sure enough, they’re yours.

That which is false troubles the heart, but truth brings joyous tranquility.

The report of my death was an exaggeration.

Be present in all things and thankful for all things.

He took off his hat and shook it (having hurried home as though his own coronation were waiting), and moved now with the slow deliberation of lonely people who have time for every meager requirement of their lives.

Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.

Any coward can fight a battle when he’s sure of winning, but give me the man who has pluck to fight when he’s sure of losing. That’s my way, sir; and there are many victories worse than a defeat.

Any government is free to the people under it (whatever be the frame) where the law rules, and the people are a party to those laws, and more than this is tyranny, oligarchy, or confusion.

More helpful than all wisdom is one draught of simple human pity that will not forsake us.