Samuel Johnson

Sir, a man who cannot get to heaven in a green coat, will not find his way thither the sooner in a gray one.

There are goods so opposed that we cannot seize both, but, by too much prudence, may pass between them at too great a distance to reach either.

Small debts are like small shot; they are rattling on every side, and can scarcely be escaped without a wound.

Their learning is like bread in a besieged town: every man gets a little, but no man gets a full meal.

Excellence in any department can be attained only by the labor of a lifetime; it is not to be purchased at a lesser price.

Ah! Sir, a boy’s being flogged is not so severe as a man’s having the hiss of the world against him.

They are decided only to be undecided, resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity, all-powerful to be impotent.

He looks the whole world in the face for he owes not any man.

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

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.

The chief glory of every people arises from its authors.

Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.

Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.

The faith that stands on authority is not faith.

Hunger is never delicate; they who are seldom gorged to the full with praise may be safely fed with gross compliments, for the appetite must be satisfied before it is disgusted.

If man is to be liberated to enjoy more leisure, he must also be prepared to enjoy this leisure fully and creatively.

Short words are the best and old words when short are best of all.

No just cause is futile, even if it’s lost, if it helps make the future better than the past.

Home life is no more natural to us than a cage is natural to a cockatoo.

Property is organized robbery.

It is better to be a young June-bug than an old bird of paradise.