Quote

A writer who obtains his full purpose loses himself in his own lustre.

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
Obtains
Lustre
Writer
Loses
Full
Purpose
Writing

More quotes by Samuel Johnson

Image
It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time.
Samuel Johnson
Image
No money is better spent than what is laid out for domestic satisfaction. A man is pleased that his wife is dressed as well as other people, and the wife is pleased that she is dressed.
Samuel Johnson
Image
It is our first duty to serve society.
Samuel Johnson
Image
What is twice read is commonly better remembered that what is transcribed.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Whisky making is the art of making poison pleasant
Samuel Johnson
Image
Those who have any intention of deviating from the beaten roads of life, and acquiring a reputation superior to names hourly swept away by time among the refuse of fame, should add to their reason and their spirit the power of persisting in their pur
Samuel Johnson
Image
Attainment is followed by neglect, possession by disgust, and the malicious remark of the Greek epigrammatist on marriage may be applied to many another course of life, that its two days of happiness are the first and the last
Samuel Johnson
Image
Those who have no power to judge of past times but by their own, should always doubt their conclusions
Samuel Johnson
Image
Many need no other provocation to enmity than that they find themselves excelled.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Slander is the revenge of a coward, and dissimulation of his defense.
Samuel Johnson
Image
The maxim of Cleobulus, Mediocrity is best, has been long considered a universal principle, extending through the whole compass of life and nature. The experience of every age seems to have given it new confirmation, and to show that nothing, however specious or alluring, is pursued with propriety or enjoyed with safety beyond certain limits.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Before dinner men meet with great inequality of understanding.
Samuel Johnson
Image
I had done all that I could, and no Man is well pleased to have his all neglected, be it ever so little.
Samuel Johnson
Image
We owe to memory not only the increase of our knowledge, and our progress in rational inquiries, but many other intellectual pleasures
Samuel Johnson
Image
Some claim a place in the list of patriots, by an acrimonious and unremitting opposition to the court. This mark is by no means infallible. Patriotism is not necessarily included in rebellion. A man may hate his king, yet not love his country.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Patience and submission are very carefully to be distinguished from cowardice and indolence. We are not to repine, but we may lawfully struggle for the calamities of life, like the necessities of Nature, are calls to labor and diligence.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Hides from himself his state, and shuns to know That life protracted is protracted woe.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Happiness, said he, must be something solid and permanent, without fear and without uncertainty.
Samuel Johnson
Image
There seems to be a strange affectation in authors of appearing to have done everything by chance.
Samuel Johnson
Image
I am not so lost in lexicography as to forget that words are the daughters of earth, and that things are the sons of heaven.
Samuel Johnson