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Christianity is the highest perfection of humanity.
SAMUEL JOHNSON, letter, Aug. 13, 1766
It is wonderful that five thousand years have now elapsed since the creation of the world, and still it is undecided whether or not there has ever been an instance of the spirit of any person appearing after death. All argument is against it; but all belief is for it.
SAMUEL JOHNSON, Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson
Disappointment, when it involves neither shame nor loss, is as good as success; for it supplies as many images to the mind, and as many topics to the tongue.
SAMUEL JOHNSON, Letter to Hester Thrale, Jun. 26, 1775
Hope is itself a species of happiness, and, perhaps, the chief happiness which this world affords: but, like all other pleasures immoderately enjoyed, the excesses of hope must be expiated by pain; and expectations improperly indulged must end in disappointment.
SAMUEL JOHNSON, Letter, Jun. 8, 1762
I would rather see the portrait of a dog that I know, than all the allegorical paintings they can show me in the world.
SAMUEL JOHNSON, Johnsonian Miscellanies
If lawyers were to undertake no causes till they were sure they were just, a man might be precluded altogether from a trial of his claim, though, were it judicially examined, it might be found a very just claim.
SAMUEL JOHNSON, Journal of a Tour of the Hebrides, Aug. 15, 1773
Wine gives a man nothing. It neither gives him knowledge nor wit; it only animates a man, and enables him to bring out what a dread of the company has repressed. It only puts in motion what had been locked up in frost.
SAMUEL JOHNSON, Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson
Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
SAMUEL JOHNSON, Boswell's Life of Dr. Johnson
Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.
SAMUEL JOHNSON, The History of Rasselas
In most ages many countries have had part of their inhabitants in a state of slavery; yet it may be doubted whether slavery can ever be supposed the natural condition of man. It is impossible not to conceive that men in their original state were equal; and very difficult to imagine how one would be subjected to another but by violent compulsion. An individual may, indeed, forfeit his liberty by a crime; but he cannot by that crime forfeit the liberty of his children.
SAMUEL JOHNSON, Life of Samuel Johnson, Sep. 23, 1777
By taking a second wife he pays the highest compliment to the first, by showing that she made him so happy as a married man, that he wishes to be so a second time.
SAMUEL JOHNSON, quoted in James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson
The habit of looking at the best side of any event is worth far more than a thousand pounds a year.
SAMUEL JOHNSON, quoted in A Dictionary of Terms, Phrases, and Quotations
Some desire is necessary to keep life in motion, and he whose real wants are supplied must admit those of fancy.
SAMUEL JOHNSON, The History of Rasselas
Fly fishing may be a very pleasant amusement; but angling or float fishing I can only compare to a stick and a string, with a worm at one end and a fool at the other.
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