Samuel Johnson

Praise, like gold and diamonds, owes its value only to its scarcity.

It is, indeed, at home that every man must be known by those who would make a just estimate either of his virtue or felicity; for smiles and embroidery are alike occasional, and the mind is often dressed for show in painted honor, and fictitious benevolence.

Whoever wishes to attain an English style, familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not ostentatious, must give his days and nights to the volumes of Addison.

The advice that is wanted is commonly not welcome and that which is not wanted, evidently an effrontery.

Christianity is the highest perfection of humanity.

He that would be superior to external influences must first become superior to his own passions.

There is no love sincerer than the love of food.

While grief is fresh, every attempt to divert only irritates. You must wait till grief be digested, and then amusement will dissipate the remains of it.

A friend is one to whom one may pour out the contents of one’s heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that gentle hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.

As soon as beauty is sought not from religion and love, but for pleasure, it degrades the seeker.

Often the surest way to convey misinformation is to tell the strict truth.

I do not hesitate to read all good books in translations. What is really best in any book is translatable – any real insight or broad human sentiment.

When it comes to the story of my heart, I am the villain, locking it away; denying its right be free. The chains are tight, restricting its growth; long enough to see through the window of opportunity, but the only escape it has, is via the pen. Why do I deny myself the opportunities? I know it comes from a place of protection, but also of fear. I think my heart has grown a resentment because of this betrayal, and has decided, enough is enough.

Use every distraction as an object of meditation and they cease to be distractions.

Beauty is a short-lived tyranny.

What makes all doctrines plain and clear? About two hundred pounds a year. And that which was proved true before, prove false again? Two hundred more.

We can’t plan life. All we can do is be available for it.

The true charm of pedestrianism does not lie in the walking, or in the scenery, but in the talking. The walking is good to time the movement of the tongue by, and to keep the blood and the brain stirred up and active; the scenery and the woodsy smells are good to bear in upon a man an unconscious and unobtrusive charm and solace to eye and soul and sense; but the supreme pleasure comes from the talk.

The country life is to be preferred, for there we see the works of God; but in cities little else but the works of men. And the one makes a better subject for contemplation than the other.

To strive with difficulties, and to conquer them, is the highest human felicity.

You get a reputation for stability if you are stable for years.