Samuel Johnson

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

No one ever became great by imitation.

Shame arises from the fear of men, conscience from the fear of God.

That kind of life is most happy which affords us most opportunities of gaining our own esteem.

Sir, you have but two topics, yourself and me. I am sick of both.

Books that you carry to the fire, and hold readily in your hand, are most useful after all.

Gratitude is a debt which usually goes on accumulating like blackmail; the more you pay, the more is exacted. In time, you are made to realize that the kindness done you is become a curse and you wish it had not happened.

A sect or party is an incognito devised to save man from the vexation of thinking.

Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work.

I think if we go back and check our record, the Negro has proven beyond a doubt that we have been more than patient in seeking our rights as American citizens.

By common consent of all the nations and all the ages the most valuable thing in this world is the homage of men, whether deserved or undeserved.

Possession isn’t nine-tenths of the law. It’s nine-tenths of the problem.

There is no distinctly American criminal class – except Congress.

Hope is a good breakfast, but it is a bad supper.

If everyone is a product of this society, who will say the things that need to be said, and do the things that need to be done, without compromise?

The good lawyer is not the man who has an eye to every side and angle of contingency, and qualifies all his qualifications, but who throws himself on your part so heartily, that he can get you out of a scrape.

Life too near paralyses art.

Read not to contradict and confute, not to believe and take for granted, not to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.

What a new face courage puts on everything!

It doesn’t matter that your dream came true if you spent your whole life sleeping.

I think I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have plenty of music. It seems to infuse strength into my limbs and ideas into my brain. Life seems to go on without effort, when I am filled with music.