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.'

The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who does him absolutely no good. Samuel Johnson
Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance. Samuel Johnson
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 evident superiority over the other. Samuel Johnson
It is reasonable to have perfection in our eye that we may always advance toward it, though we know it can never be reached. Samuel Johnson
Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel. Samuel Johnson
It's matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. Samuel Johnson
If one was to think constantly of death, the business of life would stand still. Samuel Johnson
The habit of looking on the bright side of every event is worth more than a thousand pounds a year. Samuel Johnson
Bravery has no place where it can avail nothing. Samuel Johnson
All envy is proportionate to desire; we are uneasy at the attainments of another, according as we think our own happiness would be advanced by the addition of that which he withholds from us. Samuel Johnson
The insolence of wealth will creep out. Samuel Johnson
Of the blessings set before you make your choice, and be content. Samuel Johnson
An old friend never can be found, and nature has provided that he cannot easily be lost. Samuel Johnson
Exercise is labor without weariness. Samuel Johnson
Judgment is forced upon us by experience. Samuel Johnson
Don't tell me of deception; a lie is a lie, whether it be a lie to the eye or a lie to the ear. Samuel Johnson
Wine makes a man better pleased with himself; I do not say that it makes him more pleasing to others. Samuel Johnson
Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect. Samuel Johnson
While grief is fresh, every attempt to divert only irritates. You must wait till it be digested, and then amusement will dissipate the remains of it. Samuel Johnson
Some desire is necessary to keep life in motion, and he whose real wants are supplied must admit those of fancy. Samuel Johnson
Those who attain any excellence, commonly spend life in one pursuit; for excellence is not often gained upon easier terms. Samuel Johnson
Excellence in any department can be attained only by the labor of a lifetime; it is not to be purchased at a lesser price. Samuel Johnson
Depend upon it that if a man talks of his misfortunes there is something in them that is not disagreeable to him. Samuel Johnson
When any anxiety or gloom of the mind takes hold of you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaining; but exert yourselves to hide it, and by endeavoring to hide it you drive it away. Samuel Johnson
The usual fortune of complaint is to excite contempt more than pity. Samuel Johnson
It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes cheated than not to trust. Samuel Johnson
Guilt once harbored in the conscious breast, intimidates the brave, degrades the great. Samuel Johnson
Guilt has always its horrors and solicitudes; and, to make it yet more shameful and detestable, it is doomed often to stand in awe of those to whom nothing could give influence or weight but their power of betraying. Samuel Johnson
No man is a hypocrite in his pleasures. Samuel Johnson
Such is the state of life, that none are happy but by the anticipation of change: the change itself is nothing; when we have made it, the next wish is to change again. The world is not yet exhausted; let me see something tomorrow which I never saw before. Samuel Johnson