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.'

What ever the motive for the insult, it is always best to overlook it; for folly doesn't deserve resentment, and malice is punished by neglect. Samuel Johnson
Much mischief is done in the world with very little interest or design. Samuel Johnson
The mischief of flattery is, not that it persuades any man that he is what he is not, but that it suppresses the influence of honest ambition, by raising an opinion that honour may be gained without the toil of merit. Samuel Johnson
There mark what ills the scholar's life assail, toil, envy, want, and patron. Samuel Johnson
A decent provision for the poor is the true test of civilization. Samuel Johnson
Idleness and timidity often despair without being overcome, and forbear attempts for fear of being defeated; and we may promote the invigoration of faint endeavors, by showing what has already been performed. Samuel Johnson
To be idle and to be poor have always been reproaches, and therefore every man endeavors with his utmost care to hide his poverty from others, and his idleness from himself. Samuel Johnson
In all pointed sentences, some degree of accuracy must be sacrificed to conciseness. Samuel Johnson
All theory is against the freedom of the will; all experience for it. Samuel Johnson
Whoever envies another confesses his superiority. Samuel Johnson
The superiority of some men is merely local. They are great because their associates are little. Samuel Johnson
It is not true that people are naturally equal for no two people can be together for even a half an hour without one acquiring an evident superiority over the other. Samuel Johnson
Almost every man wastes part of his life attempting to display qualities which he does not possess. Samuel Johnson
Be not too hasty to trust or to admire the teachers of morality; they discourse like angels, but they live like men. Samuel Johnson
Silence propagates itself, and the longer talk has been suspended, the more difficult it is to find anything to say. Samuel Johnson
All wonder is the effect of novelty on ignorance. Samuel Johnson
The Irish are a fair people: They never speak well of one another. Samuel Johnson
That what cannot be repaired is not to be regretted. Samuel Johnson
Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome. Samuel Johnson
All argument is against it; but all belief is for it. Samuel Johnson
He that overvalues himself will undervalue others, and he that undervalues others will oppress them. Samuel Johnson
The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Samuel Johnson
The most useful truths are always universal, and unconnected with accidents and customs. Samuel Johnson
The vicious count their years; virtuous, their acts. Samuel Johnson
The trappings of a monarchy would set up an ordinary commonwealth. Samuel Johnson
Bounty always receives part of its value from the manner in which it is bestowed. Samuel Johnson
A cow is a very good animal in the field, but we turn her out of a garden. Samuel Johnson
The limbs will quiver and move after the soul is gone. Samuel Johnson
Go into the street, and give one man a lecture on morality, and another a shilling, and see which will respect you most. Samuel Johnson
The advice that is wanted is commonly not welcome and that which is not wanted, evidently an effrontery. Samuel Johnson