Samuel Johnson

The majority have no other reason for their opinions than that they are the fashion.

Money and time are the heaviest burdens of life, and the unhappiest of all mortals are those who have more of either than they know how to use.

Treating your adversary with respect is giving him an advantage to which he is not entitled.

No man is much regarded by the rest of the world. He that considers how little he dwells upon the condition of others, will learn how little the attention of others is attracted by himself. While we see multitudes passing before us, of whom perhaps not one appears to deserve our notice or excites our sympathy, we should remember, that we likewise are lost in the same throng, that the eye which happens to glance upon us is turned in a moment on him that follows us, and that the utmost which we can reasonably hope or fear is to fill a vacant hour with prattle, and be forgotten.

It is more from carelessness about truth than from intentionally lying that there is so much falsehood in the world.

Some people have a foolish way of not minding, or pretending not to mind, what they eat. For my part, I mind my belly very studiously, and very carefully; for I look upon it, that he who does not mind his belly, will hardly mind anything else.

Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.

If you have knowledge, let others light their candles with it.

Big doors swing on little hinges.

Though I can make my extravaganzas appear credible, I cannot make the truth appear so.

Doing as others told me, I was blind. Coming when others called me, I was lost. Then I left everyone, myself as well. Then I found myself, myself as well.

Peace is not only better than war, but infinitely more arduous.

To be, or not to be; that is the bare bodkin That makes calamity of so long life;

Every natural fact is a symbol of some spiritual fact.

Old and new make the warp and woof of every moment. There is no thread that is not a twist of these two strands. By necessity, by proclivity, and by delight, we all quote.

He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare. While he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere.

Whatever advice you give, be short.

My life has been one great big joke, a dance that’s walked a song that’s spoke, I laugh so hard I almost choke when I think about myself.

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

Surely a long life must be somewhat tedious, since we are forced to call in so many trifling things to help rid us of our time, which will never return.

Lord save us all from a hope tree that has lost the faculty of putting out blossoms.