Quotes from Samuel Johnson
To strive with difficulties, and to conquer them, is the highest human felicity.
- Samuel Johnson
There is little peace or comfort in life if we are always anxious as to future events. He that worries himself with the dread of possible contingencies will never be at rest.
- Samuel Johnson
Mutual cowardice keeps us in peace.
- Samuel Johnson
Dictionaries are like watches, the worst is better than none and the best cannot be expected to go quite true.
- Samuel Johnson
The essence of poetry is invention; such invention as, by producing something unexpected, surprises and delights.
- Samuel Johnson
Milton, Madam, was a genius that could cut a Colossus from a rock; but could not carve heads upon cherry-stones.
- Samuel Johnson
To prevent evil is the great end of government, the end for which vigilance and severity are properly employed.
- Samuel Johnson
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.
- Samuel Johnson
There is nothing, Sir, too little for so little a creature as man. It is by studying little things that we attain the great art of having as little misery and as much happiness as possible.
- Samuel Johnson
Nothing is more hopeless than a scheme of merriment.
- Samuel Johnson
I would not give half a guinea to live under one form of government rather than another. It is of no moment to the happiness of an individual.
- Samuel Johnson
To hear complaints is wearisome alike to the wretched and the happy.
- Samuel Johnson