Samuel Johnson

A man who is good enough to go to heaven is not good enough to be a clergyman.

There can be no friendship without confidence, and no confidence without integrity.

In a man’s letters you know, Madam, his soul lies naked, his letters are only the mirror of his breast, whatever passes within him is shown undisguised in its natural process. Nothing is inverted, nothing distorted, you see systems in their elements, you discover actions in their motives.

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.

Solitude is dangerous to reason, without being favorable to virtue. Remember that the solitary mortal is certainly luxurious, probably superstitious, and possibly mad.

Turn on the prudent ant thy heedful eyes. Observe her labors, sluggard, and be wise.

Having the fewest wants, I am nearest to the gods.

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

All I want to do is change the world.

Here undoubtedly lies the chief poetic energy: -in the force of imagination that pierces or exalts the solid fact, instead of floating among cloud-pictures.

To do evil that good may come of it is for bunglers in politics as well as mortals.

The first wealth is health.

It is as natural to die as to be born; and to a little infant, perhaps, the one is as painful as the other.

Love is a gross exaggeration of the difference between one person and everybody else.

It is all right to rat, but you can’t re-rat.

Your mind makes a cruel master, but a generous servant.

A jay hasnt got any more principle than a Congressman. A jay will lie, a jay will steal, a jay will deceive, a jay will betray; and four times out of five, a jay will go back on his solemnest promise.

Every being is in search of truth, but small fears go on preventing you.

Paradise Lost is a book that, once put down, is very hard to pick up again.

To choose time is to save time.

It is a profitable Wisdom to know when we have done enough: Much time and Pains are spared, in not flattering our selves against Probabilities.