Samuel Johnson

Poverty is often concealed in splendor, and often in extravagance. It is the task of many people to conceal their neediness from others. Consequently they support themselves by temporary means, and everyday is lost in contriving for tomorrow.

The world is seldom what it seems; to man, who dimly sees, realities appear as dreams, and dreams realities.

The love of life is necessary to the vigorous prosecution of any undertaking.

I would not give half a guinea to live under one form of government rather than another. It is of no moment to the happiness of an individual.

Surely life, if it be not long, is tedious, since we are forced to call in the assistance of so many trifles to rid us of our time, of that time which never can return.

Is not a patron, my lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and, when he has reached ground, encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labors, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it.

Friendship increases in visiting friends, but in visiting them seldom.

Rummaging in our souls, we often dig up something that ought to have lain there unnoticed.

It’s easier to hold onto your own stereotypes and misconceptions, it makes you feel justified in your own ignorance. That’s America. So the challenge for us is, are we ready for change?

A perpendicular expression of a horizontal desire.

It is hard to go beyond your public. If they are satisfied with cheap performance, you will not easily arrive at better. If they know what is good, and require it. you will aspire and burn until you achieve it. But from time to time, in history, men are born a whole age too soon.

The eagle has ceased to scream, but the parrots will now begin to chatter. The war of the giants is over and the pigmies will now start to squabble.

The less you open your heart to others, the more your heart suffers.

If a diplomat says yes, he means perhaps. If he says perhaps he means no. And if he says no, he’s the hell of a diplomat.

Life is a series of surprises and would not be worth taking or keeping if it were not.

On with dance, let joy be unconfined, is my motto; whether there’s any dance to dance or any joy to unconfined.

Success must include two things: the development of an individual to his utmost potentiality and a contribution of some kind to one’s world.

Life is not a spectator sport. If you’re going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you’re wasting your life.

To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day.

Things derive their being and nature by mutual dependence and are nothing in themselves.

No real gentleman will tell the naked truth in the presence of ladies.