Quote

There is no crime more infamous than the violation of truth. It is apparent that men can be social beings no longer than they believe each other. When speech is employed only as the vehicle of falsehood, every man must disunite himself from others, inhabit his own cave and seek prey only for himself.

Samuel Johnson

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Samuel Johnson
Age: 75 †
Born: 1709
Born: September 18
Died: 1784
Died: December 13
Biographer
Bookseller
Essayist
Lexicographer
Linguist
Literary Critic
Literary Historian
Poet
Politician
Teacher
Translator
Writer
Lichfield
Staffordshire
Dr Johnson
Dr. Johnson
Great Moralist
Must
Speech
Caves
Every
Beings
Apparent
Believe
Crime
Violation
Men
Longer
Prey
Society
Falsehood
Social
Employed
Infamous
Others
Vehicle
Inhabit
Truth
Seek
Cave

More quotes by Samuel Johnson

Image
Sorrow is a kind of rust of the soul, which every new idea contributes in its passage to scour away. It is the putrefaction of stagnant life, and is remedied by exercise and motion.
Samuel Johnson
Image
I am a hardened and shameless tea drinker, who has, for twenty years, diluted his meals with only the infusion of this fascinating plant whose kettle has scarcely time to cool who with tea amuses the evening, with tea solaces the midnight, and, with tea, welcomes the morning.
Samuel Johnson
Image
What I gained by being in France was learning to be better satisfied with my own country.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Life admits not of delays when pleasure can be had, it is fit to catch it. Every hour takes away part of the things that please us, and perhaps part of our disposition to be pleased.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Conjecture as to things useful, is good but conjecture as to what it would be useless to know, is very idle.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Books like friends, should be few and well-chosen.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Nothing is more idle than to inquire after happiness, which nature has kindly placed within our reach.
Samuel Johnson
Image
There seems to be a strange affectation in authors of appearing to have done everything by chance.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Of the blessings set before you make your choice, and be content.
Samuel Johnson
Image
When desperate ills demand a speedy cure, Distrust is cowardice, and prudence folly.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Long customs are not easily broken he that attempts to change the course of his own life very often labors in vain and how shall we do that for others, which we are seldom able to do for ourselves.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Memory is like all other human powers, with which no man can be satisfied who measures them by what he can conceive, or by what he can desire.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Most men are more willing to indulge in easy vices than to practise laborious virtues.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Terrestrial happiness is of short duration. The brightness of the flame is wasting its fuel the fragrant flower is passing away in its own odors.
Samuel Johnson
Image
I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigrees of nations.
Samuel Johnson
Image
I am willing to love all of mankind, except an American.
Samuel Johnson
Image
We ought not to raise expectations which it is not in our power to satisfy.-It is more pleasing to see smoke brightening into flame, than flame sinking into smoke.
Samuel Johnson
Image
To hear complaints with patience, even when complaints are vain, is one of the duties of friendship.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Health is certainly more valuable than money, because it is by health that money is procured.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Spite and ill-nature are among the most expensive luxuries in life.
Samuel Johnson