Samuel Johnson

Round numbers are always false.

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

In traveling, a man must carry knowledge with him, if he would bring home knowledge.

I have always considered it as treason against the great republic of human nature, to make any man’s virtues the means of deceiving him.

As the Spanish proverb says, He who would bring home the wealth of the Indies, must carry the wealth of the Indies with him. So it is in travelling; a man must carry knowledge with him, if he would bring home knowledge.

He who waits to do a great deal of good at once will never do anything.

Is there anyone so wise as to learn by the experience of others?

Refrain from asking what going to happen tomorrow, and everyday that fortune grants you, count as gain.

Nature arms each man with some faculty which enables him to do easily some feat impossible to any other.

Health is the condition of wisdom, and the sign is cheerfulness – an open and noble temper.

I don’t like needing anyone for anything.

When the desire ain’t on me I don’t need help. When it is on me I don’t want any. See? Like the old fellah that never mended his roof. Said on a wet day he couldn’t do it and on a dry day it was as good as anybody’s.

I like not only to be loved, but also to be told that I am loved. I am not sure that you are of the same mind. But the realm of silence is large enough beyond the grave. This is the world of light and speech, and I shall take leave to tell you that you are very dear.

Sobriety, severity, and self-respect are the foundations of all true sociality.

I’m not denyin’ the women are foolish. God Almighty made ’em to match the men.

All the reasonings of men are not worth one sentiment of women.

I like the silent church before the service begins, better than any preaching.

If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen.

Every man believes that he has greater possibilities.

The really efficient laborer will be found not to crowd his day with work, but will saunter to his task surrounded by a wide halo of ease and leisure.

Prosperity is the surest breeder of insolence I know.