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Quote by Samuel Johnson

“There is reason to suspect, that the distinctions of mankind have more show than value, when it is found that all agree to be weary alike of pleasures and of cares; that the powerful and the weak, the celebrated and obscure, join in one common wish, and implore from nature's hand the nectar of oblivion.”

Quote by Samuel Johnson

Book:The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: With An Essay on His Life and Genius

Work

The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: With An Essay on His Life and Genius

This volume encompasses a wide array of Samuel Johnson's literary works, showcasing his contributions to English literature. It includes his famous dictionary, essays, and other writings, along with an insightful essay that delves into his life and the influence of his genius on the literary world. more

Author

Samuel Johnson was an English writer, poet, and lexicographer, renowned for his comprehensive English dictionary, 'A Dictionary of the English Language', published in 1755. His distinctive writing style and wit have cemented his place as a significant figure in the history of English literature. more

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“Every class of society has its cant of lamentation, which is understood or regarded by none but themselves; and every part of life has its uneasiness, which those who do not feel them will not commiserate. An event which spreads distraction over half the commercial world, assembles the trading companies in councils and committees, and shakes the nerves of a thousand stockjobbers, is read by the landlord and the farmer with frigid indifference.”

Source: The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.: D., with an Essay on His Life and Genius

“No degree of knowledge attainable by man is able to set him above the want of hourly assistance, or to extinguish the desire of fond endearments and tender officiousness; and, therefore, no one should think it unnecessary to learn those arts by which friendship may be gained.”

Thinking Men Want Should May Art Able Desire Humanity Degrees Unnecessary Assistance Endearment

Book:Johnsoniana: Or, Supplement to Boswell: Being Anecdotes and Sayings of Dr. Johnson

Source: Johnsoniana: Or, Supplement to Boswell: Being Anecdotes and Sayings of Dr. Johnson

“Those whose abilities or knowledge incline them most to deviate from the general round of life are recalled from eccentricity by the laws of their existence.”

Law Humanity Ability Existence Rounds Eccentricity Incline Deviate

Book:The Wisdom of the Rambler, Adventurer, and Idler

Source: The Wisdom of the Rambler, Adventurer, and Idler

“Human happiness has always its abatements; the brightest sunshine of success is not without a cloud.”

Humans Humanity Clouds Sunshine Human Happiness

Book:Lives of the British Poets: In Four Volumes

Source: Lives of the British Poets: In Four Volumes

“We are unreasonably desirous to separate the goods of life from those evils which Providence has connected with them, and to catch advantages without paying the price at which they are offered to us. Every man wishes to be rich, but very few have the powers necessary to raise a sudden fortune, either by new discoveries, or by superiority of skill in any necessary employment; and among lower understandings many want the firmness and industry requisite to regular gain and gradual acquisitions.”

Source: Works: With an Essay on His Life and Genius

“The hostility perpetually exercised between one man and another, is caused by the desire of many for that which only few can possess. Every man would be rich, powerful, and famous; yet fame, power, and riches, are only the names of relative conditions, which imply the obscurity, dependence, and poverty of greater numbers.”

Men Would Be Desire Humanity Names Powerful Numbers Poverty Rich Greater Conditions Fame Riches Every Man One Man Relative Dependence Hostility Obscurity

Book:The Rambler: In Four Volumes..

Source: The Rambler: In Four Volumes..

“The power, indeed, of every individual is small, and the consequence of his endeavours imperceptible, in a general prospect of the world. Providence has given no man ability to do much, that something might be left for every man to do. The business of life is carried on by a general co-operation; in which the part of any single man can be no more distinguished, than the effect of a particular drop when the meadows are floated by a summer shower: yet every drop increases the inundation, and every hand adds to the happiness or misery of mankind.”

Source: The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: With An Essay on His Life and Genius

“Men, however distinguished by external accidents or intrinsick qualities, have all the same wants, the same pains, and, as far as the senses are consulted, the same pleasures.”

Men Want Pain Humanity Pleasure Quality Accidents Senses Distinguished

Book:The works of Samuel Johnson

Source: The works of Samuel Johnson

“The most useful truths are always universal, and unconnected with accidents and customs.”

Humanity Universal Accidents Customs

Book:The beauties of Samuel Johnson: maxims and observations. To which are now added, biographical anecdotes of the doctor, his life [&c.].

Source: The beauties of Samuel Johnson: maxims and observations. To which are now added, biographical anecdotes of the doctor, his life [&c.].

“The uniform necessities of human nature produce in a great measure uniformity of life, and for part of the day make one place like another; to dress and to undress, to eat and to sleep, are the same in London as in the country.”

Humans Country Humanity Sleep Human Nature Produce Dresses London Uniforms Uniformity

Book:The Rambler: A Periodical Paper, Published in 1750, 1751, 1752

Source: The Rambler: A Periodical Paper, Published in 1750, 1751, 1752