Samuel Johnson (1709 – 1784)
British author, linguist and lexicographer.
Every quotation contributes something to the stability or enlargement of the language.
It is always observable that silence propagates itself, and that the longer talk has been suspended, the more difficult it is to find any thing to say.
We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know, because they have never deceived us.
That man is little to be envied whose patriotism would not gain force upon the plain of Marathon, or whose piety would not grow warmer among the ruins of Iona.
It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time.
Unmoved though Witlings sneer and Rivals rail,
Studious to please, yet not ashamed to fail.
He scorns the meek address, the suppliant strain.
With merit needless, and without it vain.
In Reason, Nature, Truth, he dares to trust:
Ye Fops, be silent: and ye Wits, be just.
It might as well be said, "Who drives fat oxen should himself be fat."
OATS — A grain which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people.
Johnson observed, that "he did not care to speak ill of any man behind his back, but he believed the gentleman was an attorney."
The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.
From Thee, great God: we spring, to Thee we tend,
Path, motive, guide, original, and end.
All theory is against the freedom of the will; all experience for it.
The insolence of wealth will creep out.
Round numbers are always false.
A fly, Sir, may sting a stately horse and make him wince; but one is but an insect, and the other is a horse still.
I will be conquered; I will not capitulate.
Every man naturally persuades himself that he can keep his resolutions, nor is he convinced of his imbecility but by length of time and frequency of experiment.
An age that melts in unperceiv'd decay,
And glides in modest innocence away.
The student who would build his knowledge on solid foundations, and proceed by just degrees to the pinnacles of truth, is directed by the great philosopher of France to begin by doubting of his own existence. In like manner, whoever would complete any arduous and intricate enterprise, should, as soon as his imagination can cool after the first blaze of hope, place before his own eyes every possible embarrassment that may retard or defeat him. He should first question the probability of success, and then endeavour to remove the objections that he has raised.