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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

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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
Human
Humans
Conceive
Men
Measures
Like
Powers
Satisfied
Memory
Memories
Desire

More quotes by Samuel Johnson

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It is the care of a very great part of mankind to conceal their indigence from the rest. They support themselves by temporary expedients, and every day is lost in contriving for to-morrow.
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It is, indeed, at home that every man must be known by those who would make a just estimate either of his virtue or felicity for smiles and embroidery are alike occasional, and the mind is often dressed for show in painted honor, and fictitious benevolence.
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To do nothing is in everyone's power.
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Large offers and sturdy rejections are among the most common topics of falsehood.
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If in an actor there appears an utter vacancy of meaning, a frigid equality, a stupid languor, a torpid apathy, the greatest kindness that can be shown him is a speedy sentence of expulsion.
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London! the needy villain's general home, The common sewer of Paris and of Rome! With eager thirst, by folly or by fate, Sucks in the dregs of each corrupted state.
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Care that is once enter'd into the breast Will have the whole possession ere it rest.
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He that wishes to see his country robbed of its rights cannot be a patriot.
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In all pleasures hope is a considerable part.
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There is ... scarcely any species of writing of which we can tell what is its essence, and what are its constituents every new genius produces some innovation, which, when invented and approved, subverts the rules which the practice of foregoing authors had established.
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Of all the griefs that harass the distress'd, Sure the most bitter is a scornful jest Fate never wounds more deep the generous heart, Than when a blockhead's insult points the dart.
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Here lies our good Edmund, whose genius was such, We scarcely can praise it or blame it too much Who, born for the Universe, narrowed his mind, And to party gave up what was meant for mankind.
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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.
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A newswriter is a man without virtue, who lies at home for his own profit.
Samuel Johnson
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The fiction of happiness is propagated by every tongue and confirmed by every look till at last all profess the joy which they do not feel and consent to yield to the general delusion.
Samuel Johnson
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The parallel circumstances and kindred images to which we readily conform our minds are, above all other writings, to be found in the lives of particular persons, and therefore no species of writing seems more worthy of cultivation than biography.
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When making your choice in life, do not neglect to live.
Samuel Johnson
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Ignorance, when it is voluntary, is criminal.
Samuel Johnson
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Those authors who would find many readers, must endeavour to please while they instruct.
Samuel Johnson
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There is a certain degree of temptation which will overcome any virtue. Now, in so far as you approach temptation to a man, you do him an injury and, if he is overcome, you share his guilt.
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