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Browse all 10,075 quotes or apply filters in different categories to narrow your search.
Challenges of marriage2 quotes
Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures. — Samuel Johnson · 1759It is so far from being natural for a man and woman to live in a state of marriage, that we find all the motives which they have for remaining in that connection, and the restraints which civilized society imposes to prevent separation, are hardly sufficient to keep them together. — Samuel Johnson · 1772Curiosity2 quotes
A generous and elevated mind is distinguished by nothing more certainly than an eminent degree of curiosity. — Samuel Johnson · 1784Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect. — Samuel Johnson · 1751Friendship2 quotes
If a man does not make new acquaintance as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, Sir, should keep his friendship in constant repair. — Samuel Johnson · 1784We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindness there is at last one which makes the heart run over. — Samuel Johnson · 1777Happiness2 quotes
There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by: a good tavern or inn. — Samuel Johnson · 1776That all who are happy, are equally happy, is not true. A peasant and a philosopher may be equally satisfied, but not equally happy. Happiness consists in the multiplicity of agreeable consciousness. — Samuel Johnson · 1784Language2 quotes
I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigree of nations. — Samuel Johnson · 1773Words being arbitrary must owe their power to association, and have the influence, and that only, which custom has given them. Language is the dress of thought. — Samuel Johnson · 1779Marriage2 quotes
Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures. — Samuel Johnson · 1759It is so far from being natural for a man and woman to live in a state of marriage, that we find all the motives which they have for remaining in that connection, and the restraints which civilized society imposes to prevent separation, are hardly sufficient to keep them together. — Samuel Johnson · 1772Scotland2 quotes
Much may be made of a Scotchman, if he be caught young. — Samuel Johnson · 1772The noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees, is the high road that leads him to England! — Samuel Johnson · 1763Abuses of patriotism1 quote
Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. — Samuel Johnson · 1778Acquisitiveness1 quote
Life is a progress from want to want, not from enjoyment to enjoyment. — Samuel Johnson · 1776Alcohol1 quote
Claret is the liquor for the boys; port, for men; but he who aspires to be a hero (smiling) must drink brandy. — Samuel Johnson · 1779Altruism1 quote
No, 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 · 1776Ambition1 quote
Every man has a lurking wish to appear considerable in his native place. — Samuel Johnson · 1771Americans1 quote
I am willing to love all mankind, except an American. — Samuel Johnson · 1778Anticipation1 quote
The great source of pleasure is variety. Uniformity must tire at last, though it be uniformity of excellence. We love to expect; and when expectation is disappointed or gratified, we want to be again expecting. — Samuel Johnson · 1781Bars1 quote
There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by: a good tavern or inn. — Samuel Johnson · 1776Benefits of aging1 quote
Why, sir, a man grows better humoured as he grows older. He improves by experience. When young, he thinks himself of great consequence, and every thing of importance. As he advances in life, he learns to think himself of no consequence, and little things of little importance; and so he becomes more patient, and better pleased. — Samuel Johnson · 1773Boat1 quote
Being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned. — Samuel Johnson · 1773Books1 quote
A man ought to read just as inclination leads him; for what he reads as a task will do him little good. — Samuel Johnson · 1763Celibacy1 quote
Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures. — Samuel Johnson · 1759Certainty1 quote
He is no wise man who will quit a certainty for an uncertainty. — Samuel Johnson · 1759Challenges of life1 quote
Human life is everywhere a state in which much is to be endured and a little to be enjoyed. — Samuel Johnson · 1759Change1 quote
Change is not made without inconvenience, even from worse to better. — Samuel Johnson · 1755Christian theology1 quote
Sir, I think all Christians, whether Papists or Protestants, agree in the essential articles, and that their differences are trivial, and rather political than religious. — Samuel Johnson · 1763Christianity1 quote
Sir, I think all Christians, whether Papists or Protestants, agree in the essential articles, and that their differences are trivial, and rather political than religious. — Samuel Johnson · 1763Citizen and state1 quote
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 · 1772Death1 quote
Depend upon it, Sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully. — Samuel Johnson · 1777Delusions of grandeur1 quote
Every man has a lurking wish to appear considerable in his native place. — Samuel Johnson · 1771Drinking1 quote
Claret is the liquor for the boys; port, for men; but he who aspires to be a hero (smiling) must drink brandy. — Samuel Johnson · 1779Ecumenism1 quote
Sir, I think all Christians, whether Papists or Protestants, agree in the essential articles, and that their differences are trivial, and rather political than religious. — Samuel Johnson · 1763England1 quote
The noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees, is the high road that leads him to England! — Samuel Johnson · 1763