Samuel Johnson

I never desire to converse with a man who has written more than he has read.

When men come to like a sea-life, they are not fit to live on land.

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

He that will enjoy the brightness of sunshine, must quit the coolness of the shade.

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.

The drama’s laws, the drama’s patrons give, for we that live to please, must please to live.

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.

I recall a most ingenious piece in a Wisconsin quarterly some years ago in which ‘The Recognitions’ ’ debt to ‘Ulysses’ was established in such minute detail I was doubtful of my own firm recollection of never having read ‘Ulysses.

It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.

Sir, he throws away his money without thought and without merit. I do not call a tree generous that sheds its fruit at every breeze.

Humor must not professedly teach and it must not professedly preach, but it must do both if it would live forever.

What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined – to strengthen each other – to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories.

It is necessary to hope… for hope itself is happiness.

There is no daily chore so trivial that it cannot be made important by skipping it two days running.

It is said that the present is pregnant with the future.

We are ashamed of our thoughts and often see them brought forth by others.

Heroism works in contradiction to the voice of mankind and in contradiction, for a time, to the voice of the great and good. Heroism is an obedience to a secret impulse of an individual.

We know but a few men, a great many coats and breeches.

In the end, people will judge you anyway, so don’t live our life impressing other – live your life impressing yourself.

Few of us have vitality enough to make any of our instincts imperious.

What a good thing Adam had. When he said a good thing, he knew nobody had said it before.