Samuel Johnson (1709 – 1784)
British author, linguist and lexicographer.
But, perhaps, the excellence of aphorisms consists not so much in the expression of some rare or abstruse sentiment, as in the comprehension of some obvious and useful truth in few words.
The Samuel Johnson web site suggests this entry is dated 16 April, but it appears to be part of the previous entry.
Towering is the confidence of twenty-one.
This is one of the disadvantages of wine, it makes a man mistake words for thoughts.
But, scarce observ'd, the knowing and the bold
Fall in the gen'ral massacre of gold.
Let me rejoice in the light which Thou hast imparted; let me serve Thee with active zeal, humbled confidence, and wait with patient expectation for the time in which the soul which Thou receivest shall be satisfied with knowledge.
He delighted to tread upon the brink of meaning.
I am inclined to believe that few attacks either of ridicule or invective make much noise, but by the help of those they provoke.
How is it that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of negroes?
New things are made familiar, and familiar things are made new.
There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn.
GRUBSTREET — The name of a street near Moorsfield, London, much inhabited by writers of small histories, dictionaries, and temporary poems.
A desire for knowledge is the natural feeling of mankind; and every human being, whose mind is not debauched, will be willing to give all he has to get knowledge.
The reciprocal civility of authors is one of the most risible scenes in the farce of life.
Frugality may be termed the daughter of Prudence, the sister of Temperance and the parent of Liberty.
Sir, a woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hinder legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all.
Sherry is dull, naturally dull; but it must have taken him a great deal of pains to become what we now see him. Such an excess of stupidity, sir, is not in Nature.
All Crimes are safe, but hated Poverty.
This, only this, the rigid Law persues.
Read over your compositions, and wherever you meet with a passage which you think is particularly fine, strike it out.
It is more from carelessness about truth than from intentional lying that there is so much falsehood in the world.