Quotes from Samuel Johnson

The Church does not superstitiously observe days, merely as days, but as memorials of important facts. Christmas might be kept as well upon one day of the year as another; but there should be a stated day for commemorating the birth of our Saviour, because there is danger that what may be done on any day, will be neglected.

In a man's letters his soul lies naked.

Wine makes a man better pleased with himself. I do not say that it makes him more pleasing to others... This is one of the disadvantages of wine, it makes a man mistake words for thoughts.

Courage is reckoned the greatest of all virtues; because, unless a man has that virtue, he has no security for preserving any other.

Nothing flatters a man as much as the happiness of his wife; he is always proud of himself as the source of it.

I look upon every day to be lost in which I do not make a new acquaintance.

If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance.

Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good.

Do not suffer life to stagnate, it will grow muddy for want of motion; commit yourself again to the current of the world.

No one is much pleased with a companion who does not increase, in some respect, their fondness for themselves.

A wise man will make haste to forgive, because he knows the true value of time, and will not suffer it to pass away in unnecessary pain.

Wickedness is always easier than virtue; for it takes the short cut to everything.