Samuel Johnson

Bounty always receives part of its value from the manner in which it is bestowed.

One cause, which is not always observed, of the insufficiency of riches, is that they very seldom make their owner rich.

He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man.

Lawyers know life practically. A bookish man should always have them to converse with.

The wise man applauds he who he thinks most virtuous; the rest of the world applauds the wealthy.

It is better to live rich than to die rich.

The worst sin… is… to be indifferent.

No two on earth in all things can agree. All have some daring singularity.

Which is worse? The wolf who cries before eating the lamb or the wolf who does not.

If you shoot at a king you must kill him.

Logic is a poor guide compared with custom.

The beginning is the most important part of the work.

A name pronounced is the recognition of the individual to whom it belongs. He who can pronounce my name aright, he can call me, and is entitled to my love and service.

In lapidary inscriptions a man is not upon oath.

The wise man applauds he who he thinks most virtuous; the rest of the world applauds the wealthy.

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.

Solitary trees, if they grow at all, grow strong.

Hope is itself a species of happiness, and, perhaps, the chief happiness which this world affords: but, like all other pleasures immoderately enjoyed, the excesses of hope must be expiated by pain; and expectations improperly indulged, must end in disappointment. If it be asked, what is the improper expectation which it is dangerous to indulge, experience will quickly answer, that it is such expectation as is dictated not by reason, but by desire; expectation raised, not by the common occurrences of life, but by the wants of the expectant; an expectation that requires the common course of things to be changed, and the general rules of action to be broken.

Where charity keeps pace with grain, industry is blessed, but to slave to get, and keep it sordidly, is a sin against Providence, a vice in government and an injury to their neighbours.

The price of greatness is responsibility.

It doesn’t matter who you are or what you look like as long as somebody loves you.