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Fishing5 quotes
We may say of angling, as Dr. Boteler said of strawberries, "Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did." — Izaak Walton · 1653I have laid aside business, and gone a-fishing. — Izaak Walton · 1653Angling may be said to be so like the mathematics, that it can never be fully learnt. — Izaak Walton · 1653I love any discourse of rivers, and fish and fishing. — Izaak Walton · 1653You will find angling to be like the virtue of humility, which has a calmness of spirit, and a world of other blessings attending upon it. — Izaak Walton · 1653Happiness3 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 · 1776True 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 · 1711That 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 · 1784Books2 quotes
A man ought to read just as inclination leads him; for what he reads as a task will do him little good. — Samuel Johnson · 1763Books are the legacies that a great genius leaves to mankind, which are delivered down from generation to generation, as presents to the posterity of those who are yet unborn. — Joseph Addison · 1711Challenges 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 · 1772Citizen and state2 quotes
What pity is it,
That we can die but once, to serve our country! — Joseph Addison · 1713I 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 · 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 · 1777Language2 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 · 1772Patriotism2 quotes
Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. — Samuel Johnson · 1778What pity is it,
That we can die but once, to serve our country! — Joseph Addison · 1713Scotland2 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 · 1763Value of friendship2 quotes
Oh, the comfort-the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person-having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away. — Dinah Craik · 1859If 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 · 1784Abuses 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 · 1773Celibacy1 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 · 1763Connecting with others1 quote
Oh, the comfort-the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person-having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away. — Dinah Craik · 1859Contemplation1 quote
Wide and undetermined Prospects are as pleasing to the Fancy, as the Speculations of Eternity or Infinitude are to the Understanding. — Joseph Addison · 1712