WIST

Those who attain any excellence, commonly spend life in one pursuit; for excellence is not often gained upon easier terms.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
“Pope,” Lives of the English Poets (1781)

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.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

If I were punished for every pun I shed, there would not be left a puny shed of my punnish head.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

I deny the lawfulness of telling a lie to a sick man for fear of alarming him; you have no business with consequences, you are to tell the truth.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

Every other author may aspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape reproach.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

Life is not long, and too much of it must not pass in idle deliberation how it shall be spent.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

The applause of a single human being is of great consequence.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

I live in the crowd of jollity, not so much to enjoy company as to shun myself.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance. Yonder palace was raised by single stones, yet you see its height and spaciousness. He that shall walk with vigor three hours a day will pass in seven years a space equal to the circumference of the globe.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

In order that all men may be taught to speak truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

To let friendship die away by negligence and silence, is certainly not wise. It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of this weary pilgrimage.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

It is better to live rich, than to die rich.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

All knowledge is of itself of some value. There is nothing so minute or inconsiderable that I would not rather know it than not.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

But if he does really think that there is no distinction between virtue and vice, why, Sir, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

Courage is reckoned the greatest of all virtues; because, unless a man has that virtue, he has no security for preserving any other.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

The vanity of being trusted with a secret is generally one of the chief motives to disclose it.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

Pleasure of itself is not a vice.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it makes some virtues impracticable and others extremely difficult.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

He who praises everybody, praises nobody.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

A decent provision for the poor is the true test of civilization.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)

Quoted by Rev. Dr. Maxwell (1770). In James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)

If nothing may be published but what civil authority shall have previously approved, power must always be the standard of truth.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Lives of the English Poets, “Milton” (1781)

Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Lives of the English Poets, “Pope” (1781)

Be not too hasty to trust or to admire the teachers of morality; they discourse like angels, but they love like men.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Rasselas: The Prince of Abyssinia, ch. 18 (1759)

Ignorance, when it is voluntary, is criminal.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Rasselas: The Prince of Abyssinia, ch. 30 (1759)

How is it that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of negroes?

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Taxation No Tyranny (1775)
On American demands for independence.

Power is always gradually stealing away from the many to the few because the few are more vigilant and consistent.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The Adventurer, #45 (10 Apr 1753)

Our desires always increase with our possessions; the knowledge that something remains yet unenjoyed, impairs our enjoyment of the good before us.

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The Adventurer, #67 (26 Jun 1753)