Samuel Johnson Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old Samuel Johnson quotes, Samuel Johnson sayings, and Samuel Johnson proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.'

Sunday should be different from another day. People may walk, but not throw stones at birds. There may be relaxation, but there should be no levity. Samuel Johnson
He that will enjoy the brightness of sunshine, must quit the coolness of the shade. Samuel Johnson
The two offices of memory are collection and distribution. Samuel Johnson
The lust of gold succeeds the rage of conquest. The lust of gold, unfeeling and remorseless the last corruption of degenerate man. Samuel Johnson
Hunger is never delicate; they who are seldom gorged to the full with praise may be safely fed with gross compliments, for the appetite must be satisfied before it is disgusted. Samuel Johnson
There are people whom one should like very well to drop, and would not wish to be dropped by. Samuel Johnson
To circumscribe poetry by a definition will only chew the narrowness of the definer. Samuel Johnson
The natural flights of the human mind are not pleasure to pleasure but from hope to hope. Samuel Johnson
Distance either of time or place is sufficient to reconcile weak minds to wonderful relations. Samuel Johnson
When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford. Samuel Johnson
The greatest part of a writer's time is spent in reading in order to write. A man will turn over half a library to make a book. Samuel Johnson
No place affords a more striking conviction of the vanity of human hopes than a public library. Samuel Johnson
Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures. Samuel Johnson
Men more frequently require to be reminded than informed. Samuel Johnson
Wealth is nothing in itself; it is not useful but when it departs from us. Samuel Johnson
Love is the wisdom of the fool, and the folly of the wise. Samuel Johnson
It is natural to imagine that many of those who would have relieved his real wants were discouraged from the exertion of their benevolence by observation of the use which was made of their favors, and conviction that relief would only be momentary, and that the same necessity would quickly return. Samuel Johnson
Were it not for imagination, Sir, a man would be as happy in the arms of a chambermaid as of a Duchess. Samuel Johnson
In all pointed sentences, some degree of accuracy must be sacrificed to conciseness. Samuel Johnson
Dictionaries are like watches, the worst is better than none and the best cannot be expected to go quite true. Samuel Johnson
I do not much wish well to discoveries, for I am always afraid they will end in conquest and robbery. Samuel Johnson
Wine gives a man nothing it only puts in motion what had been locked up in frost. Samuel Johnson
Wine gives a man nothing. It neither gives him knowledge nor wit; it only animates a man, and enables him to bring out what a dread of the company has repressed. It only puts in motion what had been locked up in frost. Samuel Johnson
Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome. Samuel Johnson
A man is seldom so harmlessly occupied as when he is making money. Samuel Johnson
A man ought to read just as inclination leads him; for what he reads as a task will do him little good. Samuel Johnson
A man who both spends and saves money is the happiest man, because he has both enjoyments. Samuel Johnson
When any calamity has been suffered the first thing to be remembered is, how much has been escaped. Samuel Johnson
If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, sir, should keep his friendship in constant repair. Samuel Johnson
We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know because they have never deceived us. Samuel Johnson