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James Boswell Quotes

Lawyer

James Boswell, born on October 29, 1740, and died on May 19, 1795, was a Scottish lawyer and writer. He is best known for his biography, 'The Life of Samuel Johnson,' which provides a detailed account of the life and thoughts of the 18th-century British writer Samuel Johnson.

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Famous James Boswell Quotes

“Boswell, when he speaks of his Life of Johnson, calls it my magnum opus, but it may more properly be called his opera, for it is truly a composition founded on a true story, in which there is a hero with a number of subordinate characters, and an alternate succession of recitative and airs of various tone and effect, all however in delightful animation.”

May Character Stories Speak Numbers Air Effects Hero Various Tone Opera Composition Delightful Animation Johnson Succession Subordinates True Story

Book:Boswell, the great biographer, 1789-1795

Source: Boswell, the great biographer, 1789-1795

“Addison writes with the ease of a gentleman. His readers fancy that a wise and accomplished companion is talking to them; so thathe insinuates his sentiments and taste into their minds by an imperceptible influence. Johnson writes like a teacher. He dictates to his readers as if from an academical chair. They attend with awe and admiration; and his precepts are impressed upon them by his commanding eloquence. Addison's style, like a light wine, pleases everybody from the first. Johnson's, like a liquor of more body, seems too strong at first, but, by degrees, is highly relished.”

Source: The life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: comprehending an account of his studies and numerous works, in chronological order; a series of his epistolary correspondence; and conversations with many eminent persons ...

“In comparing these two writers, he [Samuel Johnson] used this expression: "that there was as great a difference between them as between a man who knew how a watch was made, and a man who could tell the hour by looking on the dial-plate." This was a short and a figurative statement of his distinction between drawing characters of nature and characters only of manners, but I cannot help being of opinion, that the neat watches of Fielding are as well constructed as the large clocks of Richardson, and that his dial plates are brighter.”

Men Wells Made Two Character Helping Used Hours Differences Opinion Watches Expression Drawing Statements Manners Compare Clock Distinction Plates Johnson Brighter Neat

Author:James Boswell

“Dr. Johnson ... sometimes employed himself in chymistry, sometimes in watering and pruning a vine, and sometimes in small experiments, at which those who may smile, should recollect that there are moments which admit of being soothed only by trifles.”

Should May Sometimes Moments Science Experiments Chemistry Drs Employed Johnson Trifles Vines Pruning Dr Johnson

Book:Boswell's Life of Johnson: Easyread Super Large 18pt Edition

Source: Boswell's Life of Johnson: Easyread Super Large 18pt Edition

“Dr Johnson said, the inscription should have been in Latin, as every thing intended to be universal and permanent, should be.”

Should Has Beens Said Should Have Universal Permanent Latin Drs Johnson Should Have Been Inscriptions Dr Johnson

Book:The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. Including a Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides: In Five Volumes

Source: The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. Including a Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides: In Five Volumes

“I suppose no person ever enjoyed with more relish the infusion of that fragrant leaf than Johnson.”

Persons Enjoyed Leafs Johnson Relish Infusion

Author:James Boswell

“After we came out of the church, we stood talking for some time together of Bishop Berkeley's ingenious sophistry to prove the non-existence of matter, and that every thing in the universe is merely ideal. I observed, that though we are satisfied his doctrine is not true, it is impossible to refute it. I never shall forget the alacrity with which Johnson answered, striking his foot with mighty force against a large stone, till he rebounded from it, "I refute it thus."”

Source: Life of Johnson

“Boswell: But, Sir is it not somewhat singular that you should happen to have Cocker's Arithmetic about you on your journey? Dr. Johnson: Why, Sir if you are to have but one book with you upon a journey, let it be a book of science. When you read through a book of entertainment, you know it, and it can do no more for you; but a book of science is inexhaustible.”

Ifs Knows Should Book Happens Science Can Do Journey Entertainment Drs Johnson Arithmetic Dr Johnson

Book:Journal of a tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson LL.D.: containing some poetical pieces by Dr. Johnson, relative to the tour, and never before published ... : with an authentic account of the distresses and escape of the grandson of King James II. in the year 1746

Source: Journal of a tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson LL.D.: containing some poetical pieces by Dr. Johnson, relative to the tour, and never before published ... : with an authentic account of the distresses and escape of the grandson of King James II. in the year 1746