Samuel Johnson Quotes

Melancholy, indeed, should be diverted by every means but drinking.

Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.

What is the reason that women servants ... have much lower wages than men servants ... when in fact our female house servants work much harder than the male?

The happiest conversation is that of which nothing is distinctly remembered but a general effect of pleasing impression.

Life must be filled up, and the man who is not capable of intellectual pleasures must content himself with such as his senses can afford.

While grief is fresh, every attempt to divert only irritates. You must wait till grief be digested, and then amusement will dissipate the remains of it.

Sir, there is more knowledge in a letter of Richardson's, than in all Tom Jones.

Curiosity is, in great and generous minds, the first passion and the last.

Sir, a woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hinder legs. It is not done well; but you are surprized to find it done at all.

Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.