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Quote by Samuel Johnson

“Nothing odd will do long. Tristram Shandy did not last.”

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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

Book:The Works of Samuel Johnson: An essay on the life and genius of Dr. Johnson [by A. Murphy] Poems.- v. 2-4. The rambler.- v. 5. The idler. History of Rasselas, prince of Abissinia.- v. 6-8. The lives of the English poets.- v. 9. Lives of eminent persons. Letters, selected from the collection of Mrs. Piozzi and others. Prayers and meditations.- v. 10. Philological tracts, &c.- v. 11. Miscellaneous tracts, &c. Dedications. Reviews and criticisms. Tales of imagination. The adventurers.-

Source: The Works of Samuel Johnson: An essay on the life and genius of Dr. Johnson [by A. Murphy] Poems.- v. 2-4. The rambler.- v. 5. The idler. History of Rasselas, prince of Abissinia.- v. 6-8. The lives of the English poets.- v. 9. Lives of eminent persons. Letters, selected from the collection of Mrs. Piozzi and others. Prayers and meditations.- v. 10. Philological tracts, &c.- v. 11. Miscellaneous tracts, &c. Dedications. Reviews and criticisms. Tales of imagination. The adventurers.-

“Norway, too, has noble prospects; and Lapland is remarkable for prodigious noble wild prospects. But, Sir, let me tell you, the noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees is the high road that leads him to England!”

Let Me England Noble Remarkable Prospects Norway Prodigious High Road Lapland

Author:Samuel Johnson

“His virtues walked their narrow round, Nor made a pause, nor left a void; And sure the Eternal Master found The single talent well employed.”

Wells Made Found Left Virtue Talent Masters Eternal Rounds Void Pauses Employed

Book:The Poetical Works of Samuel Johnson, L.L.D.: With an Account of the Author's Life

Source: The Poetical Works of Samuel Johnson, L.L.D.: With an Account of the Author's Life

“But grant, the virtues of a temp'rate prime Bless with an age exempt from scorn or crime; An age that melts with unperceived decay, And glides in modest Innocence away”

Age Virtue Crime Rate Innocence Grants Bless Prime Decay Modest Scorn Temperance

Book:Johnson's Juvenal: London and The Vanity of Human Wishes

Source: Johnson's Juvenal: London and The Vanity of Human Wishes

“There may be other reasons for a man's not speaking in publick than want of resolution: he may have nothing to say.”

Men Want May Reason Resolution

Book: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; and various original pieces of his composition, never before published; the whole exhibiting a view of literature and literary men in Great Britain, for near half a century during which he flourished

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; and various original pieces of his composition, never before published; the whole exhibiting a view of literature and literary men in Great Britain, for near half a century during which he flourished

“If the guardian or the mother Tell the woes of willful waste, Scorn their counsel and their pother, You can hang or drown at last.”

Ifs Lasts Mother Waste Woe Guardian Scorn

Book:Selected poetry and prose

Source: Selected poetry and prose

“Criticism is a study by which men grow important and formidable at very small expense. The power of invention has been conferred by nature upon few, and the labour of learning those sciences which may, by mere labour, be obtained, is too great to be willingly endured; but every man can exert some judgment as he has upon the works of others; and he whom nature has made weak, and idleness keeps ignorant, may yet support his vanity by the name of critic.”

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

Quote by Samuel Johnson

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