Samuel Johnson Quotes

Good intentions may be frustrated when they are executed without suitable skill, or directed to an end unattainable in itself.

That it is every man’s interest to be pleased will need little proof: that it is his interest to please others experience will inform him.

All intellectual improvement arises from leisure.

Why, 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.

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

It is better a man should be abused than forgotten.

In contradiciton to those, who, having a wife and children, prefer domestic enjoyments to those which a tavern affords… a tavern-chair was the throne of human felicity.- ‘As soon… as I enter the door of a tavern, I experience an oblivion of care, and a freedom from solicitude : when I am seated, I find […]

We are told, that the black bear is innocent; but I should not like to trust myself with him.

There is nothing, which has yet been contrived by man by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn.

An injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere.