Samuel Johnson

The superiority of some men is merely local. They are great because their associates are little.

When men come to like a sea-life, they are not fit to live on land.

Those who attain to any excellence commonly spend life in some single pursuit, for excellence is not often gained upon easier terms.

The two offices of memory are collection and distribution.

Wine makes a man more pleased with himself; I do not say it makes him more pleasing to others.

To get a name can happen but to few; it is one of the few things that cannot be brought. It is the free gift of mankind, which must be deserved before it will be granted, and is at last unwillingly bestowed.

What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are but how you deal with incompatibility.

Many marriages would be better if the husband and the wife clearly understood that they are on the same side.

Marriage must be a relation either of sympathy or of conquest.

What Michelle has done is to remind me every day of the virtues of order.

On Oct. 3, 1992, Barack and I were married in Chicago – and every day since, I’ve grown prouder and more in love with him.

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.

There is nothing so much seduces reason from vigilance as the thought of passing life with an amiable woman in marriage.

He didn’t dare to, because his father had a weak heart and habitually threatened to drop dead if anybody hurt his feelings. You may have noticed that people with weak hearts are the tyrants of English married life.

Husbands and wives, have fun with each other. I’m convinced it makes all the difference in the world.

By all means marry. If you get a good wife you will become happy, and if you get a bad one you will become a philosopher.

Both marriage and death ought to be welcome: The one promises happiness, doubtless the other assures it.

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.

[on Michelle] Like a lot of political spouses, the role was thrust upon her. But I always knew she’d be incredible at it, and put her own unique stamp on the job. That’s because who you see is who she is-the brilliant, funny, generous woman who, for whatever reason, agreed to marry me. I think people gravitate to her because they see themselves in her-a dedicated mom, a good friend, and someone who’s not afraid to poke a little fun at herself from time to time.

My advice to you is get married: if you find a good wife you.

Marriage is an alliance entered into by a man who can’t sleep with the window shut, and a woman who can’t sleep with the window open.