The Quotes canon
Sourced and curated.
Every quote has been curated by hand and carefully authenticated.
Browse all 10,075 quotes or apply filters in different categories to narrow your search.
Browse all 10,075 quotes or apply filters in different categories to narrow your search.
Samuel Johnson49 quotes
Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. — Samuel Johnson · 1778The triumph of hope over experience. — Samuel Johnson · 1784Claret is the liquor for the boys; port, for men; but he who aspires to be a hero (smiling) must drink brandy. — Samuel Johnson · 1779No, Sir; to act from pure benevolence is not possible for finite beings. Human benevolence is mingled with vanity, interest, or some other motive. — Samuel Johnson · 1776Sir, a woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hinder legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all. — Samuel Johnson · 1763Such is the delight of mental superiority , that none on, whom nature or study have conferred it, would purchase the gifts of fortune by its loss. — Samuel Johnson · 1751All 49 quotes →Joseph Addison7 quotes
What pity is it,
That we can die but once, to serve our country! — Joseph Addison · 1713Music, the greatest good that mortals know,
And all of heaven we have below. — Joseph Addison · 1694True Happiness is of a retired nature, and an enemy to pomp and noise: it arises, in the first place, from the enjoyment of one's self; and in the next, from the friendship and conversation of a few select companions. — Joseph Addison · 1711Our disputants put me in mind of the cuttle-fish, that when he is unable to extricate himself, blackens all the water about him till he becomes invisible. — Joseph Addison · 1712What Sculpture is to a Block of Marble, Education is to a Human Soul. — Joseph Addison · 1711Wide and undetermined Prospects are as pleasing to the Fancy, as the Speculations of Eternity or Infinitude are to the Understanding. — Joseph Addison · 1712All 7 quotes →