Samuel Johnson Quotes

The majority have no other reason for their opinions than that they are the fashion.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Fashion Opinion Reason
The true art of memory is the art of attention.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Art Attention Memories True
Prejudice, not being founded on reason, cannot be removed by argument.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Argument Reason Remove
If you are idle, be not solitary; if you are solitary be not idle.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Choice Freedom Solitude Wasted Time Yourself
The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Goodness Measurement Treat True
If a madman were to come into this room with a stick in his hand, no doubt we should pity the state of his mind; but our primary consideration would be to take care of ourselves. We should knock him down first, and pity him afterwards.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Care Hands Mad Man Ourselves Pity Room
A horse that can count to ten is a remarkable horse, not a remarkable mathematician.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Animal Home Mathematics
Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Object Possible Try
Books like friends, should be few and well-chosen.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Books Choice Friendship
Curiosity is, in great and generous minds, the first passion and the last.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Curiosity Generosity Greatness Mindset
Sorrow is the mere rust of the soul. Activity will cleanse and brighten it.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Bright Cleaning Sorrow Soul
There must always be a struggle between a father and son, while one aims at power and the other at independence.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Father Freedom Independent Power Son Struggle
A man who both spends and saves money is the happiest man, because he has both enjoyments.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Enjoyment Happiness Man Money Save
The Irish are a fair people: They never speak well of one another.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Oneself People Talk Well
Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Afford Difficult Life Pleasure
Courage is the greatest of all virtues, because if you haven’t courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of the others.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Courage Greatness Opportunity Virtue
Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Coward Patriot Refuge
The superiority of some men is merely local. They are great because their associates are little.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Associate Greatness Local Man Position
Each person’s work is always a portrait of himself.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Art Himself Person Photograph Work
You can never be wise unless you love reading.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Love Reading Wisdom Yourself
Whatever enlarges hope will also exalt courage.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Courage Hope Inspirational One Liner
A man’s mind grows narrow in a narrow place.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Growth Man Mindset Place
Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Kindness Ourselves Power
The next best thing to knowing something is knowing where to find it.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Knowledge Wisdom
Power is not sufficient evidence of truth.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Evidence One Liner Power Truth
Truth allows no choice.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Choice One Liner Truth
What we hope ever to do with ease, we must learn first to do with diligence.
SAMUEL JOHNSON

Diligence Hope Learning

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