More from Samuel Johnson

  1. I [Boswell] happened to say, it would be terrible if he should not find a speedy opportunity of returning to London, and be confined in so …
  2. Why, Sir, it is difficult to settle the proportion of iniquity between them.
  3. 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.
  4. So far is it from being true that men are naturally equal, that no two people can be half an hour together, but one shall acquire an eviden…
  5. 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…
  6. Shakspeare never has six lines together without a fault. Perhaps you may find seven: but this does not refute my general assertion.
  7. I remember very well, when I was at Oxford, an old gentleman said to me, 'Young man, ply your book diligently now, and acquire a stock of k…
  8. 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.

All Samuel Johnson quotes