Quote #93

Those writers who lay on the watch for novelty, could have little hope of greatness; for great things cannot have escaped former observation.

More from Samuel Johnson

  1. A man sometimes starts up a patriot, only by disseminating discontent, and propagating reports of secret influence, of dangerous counsels, …
  2. Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.
  3. The greater, far the greater number of those who rave and rail, and inquire and accuse, neither suspect nor fear, nor care for the publick;…
  4. New things are made familiar, and familiar things are made new.
  5. Some claim a place in the list of patriots, by an acrimonious and unremitting opposition to the court. This mark is by no means infallible.…
  6. Whoever wishes to attain an English style, familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not ostentatious, must give his days and nights to the …
  7. Let us take a patriot, where we can meet him; and, that we may not flatter ourselves by false appearances, distinguish those marks which ar…
  8. He delighted to tread upon the brink of meaning.

All Samuel Johnson quotes