Samuel Johnson

As to the rout that is made about people who are ruined by extravagance, it is no matter to the nation that some individuals suffer. When so much general productive exertion is the consequence of luxury, the nation does not care though there are debtors; nay, they would not care though their creditors were there too.

Depend upon it that if a man talks of his misfortunes there is something in them that is not disagreeable to him.

No man can taste the fruits of autumn while he is delighting his scent with the flowers of spring.

Marriage is the best state for man in general, and every man is a worst man in proportion to the level he is unfit for marriage.

If he really thinks there is no distinction between vice and virtue, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons.

The wretched have no compassion, they can do good only from strong principles of duty.

Except during the nine months before he draws his first breath, no man manages his affairs as well as a tree. We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know because they have never deceived us.

Without friends the world is but a wilderness. There is no man that imparteth his joys to his friends, but he joyeth the more; and no man that imparteth his grieves to his friend, but he grieveth the less.

Men on their side must force themselves for a while to lay their notions by and begin to familiarize themselves with facts.

A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.

Train hard, turn up, run your best and the rest will take care of itself.

There are charms made only for distant admiration.

Do not waste your time on Social Questions. What is the matter with the poor is Poverty; what is the matter with the rich is Uselessness.

The most I can do for my friend is simply be his friend.

A man of genius is privileged only as far as he is genius. His dullness is as insupportable as any other dullness.

A good End cannot sanctifie evil Means; nor must we ever do Evil, that Good may come of it. Some Folks think they may Scold, Rail, Hate, Rob and Kill too; so it be but for God’s sake. But nothing in us unlike him, can please him.

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

Sometimes if I see negative things it really doesn’t faze me, because you’ve got to be tough and you’ve got to be you.

Life will not bear refinement. You must do as other people do.

You. Not wanting me. Was the beginning of me wanting myself. Thank you.

Why do you treat me as they do, as though I were exactly what I want to be. Why do we treat people that way?