Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by James Boswell

Quote by James Boswell

Work

The Life of Samuel Johnson

This book offers an in-depth look at the life of Samuel Johnson, detailing his early years, his rise to prominence as a writer and critic, and his lasting impact on the English language and literature. It includes insights into Johnson's personal life, his relationships with other literary figures, and his contributions to the field of lexicography, particularly through the creation of the first comprehensive English dictionary. more

Author

James Boswell
James Boswell

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. more

You May Also Like

“On the 30th of September we dined together at the Mitre. I attempted to argue for the superiour happiness of the savage life, upon the usual fanciful topicks. JOHNSON. "Sir, there can be nothing more false. The savages have no bodily advantages beyond those of civilised men. They have not better health; and as to care or mental uneasiness, they are not above it, but below it, like bears. No, Sir; you are not to talk such paradox: let me have no more of't. It cannot entertain, far less can it instruct. Lord Monboddo, one of your Scotch Judges, talked a great deal of such nonsense. I suffered him; but I will not suffer you."—BOSWELL. "But, Sir, does not Rousseau talk such nonsense?" JOHNSON. "True, Sir; but Rousseau knows he is talking nonsense, and laughs at the world for staring at him." BOSWELL. "How so, Sir?" JOHNSON. "Why, Sir, a man who talks nonsense so well, must know that he is talking nonsense.”

NonsenseRousseauSamuel Johnson
Author:James Boswell
Create image

“I met Mr. Sterling when he came to London to establish a branch of his shipping firm." She paused. "I never imagined I would someday be running it." "You've done very well," Keir commented, before it occurred to him that it might seem presumptuous, offering praise to someone so far above him. Lady Merritt seemed pleased, however. "Thank you. Especially for not finishing that sentence with '... for a woman,' the way most people do. It always reminds me of the Samuel Johnson quote about a dog walking on its hind legs: 'It's not done well, but one is surprised to find it done at all.”

WidowMerritt SterlingBusinesswomanSamuel Johnson
Book:Devil in Disguise
Create image

“In 1766, James Boswell, having returned from a grand tour accompanied by Rousseau's mistress, left London for his native Edinburgh, where he took his final law examination and joined the Scottish bar. Meanwhile, ensconced in the Advocate's Library, the Professor of Pneumatics and Moral Philosophy, Adam Ferguson, was completing his pioneering work, shortly to appear (despite David Hume's misgivings) as An Essay on the History of Civil Society (1767). These were heady days in the precincts of the Scottish Parliament Building, when cultural conversation in the Old Town was as high as the odours of its teeming streets. On 16th August 1773, Ferguson dined at Boswell's house, with Samuel Johnson who had just begun his Scottish journey. They debated the authenticity of Ossian's poetry, and their colleague, Lord Monboddo's ideas about human evolution, Johnson ridiculing the latter's notion that men once had tails.”

EdinburghSamuel JohnsonScottish Enlightenment1766Adam FergusonJames BoswellLord Monboddo
Book:The Scots Imagination and Modern Memory
Create image

“Choosing to do things when you are older or old instead doing them when you are young . It is not always a good idea. Unless external forces or situations are beyond your powers or control. Never procrastinate things you should be doing now and want to do them when you are old. You won't enjoy them as you would now. When you grow old your physics, mental and health becomes a barrier for you to enjoy everything. Also, because of time somethings change , decay, close down ,get replaced or die. By the time you think you are ready to see them or to do them. They won’t be there. If is your own choice, you have time, means, options and ability. Do things now while you can. I hope the things you reject and turn down now, because you think you know better, and you are flexing your powers of being in control. You won’t regret for not doing them in future or you won't have aspirational regrets.”

Quotes Or PhilosophyLife Lessons Or Life CoachChoose Or ChoseChoices Or OptionsTime Or LifeAge Or ProcrastinationHuman Behavior Or MindRegrets Or Success
Author:De philosopher DJ Kyos
Create image

“The reason we are hurt so much it is because we are choosing to be considerate to people who choose not be considerate when it comes to us. The very same people you are choosing to do everything in your power that they are happy .They are getting everything they need and want , are choosing the opposite. They are doing everything in their power to make sure that you are not happy, and you are not getting what you want or need. The people you want to do everything for, are willing to do nothing for you. They have the power to make you happy, but they choose not to.”

Quotes Or PhilosophyLife Lessons Or Life CoachWisdom Or KnowledgeChoose Or ChoseChoices Or OptionsPeople Or Behaviour
Author:De philosopher DJ Kyos
Create image

“People choose a side first then reason from the side they are on. Their reasoning will try to support the argument or side they are on rather than justifying what is right, what are facts, reality, or truth. They are defending their side. That is what matters to them not the truth.”

Quotes Or PhilosophyLife Lessons Or Life CoachRight Or WrongChoose Or ChoseSocial Media Or InfluencersChoices Or OptionsTruth Or FactsVictims Or Perpetrator
Author:De philosopher DJ Kyos
Create image

“Most people will choose to defend someone. Justifying someone’s wrongdoing, behavior, or acts, not that they care about that someone or that someone is right but being misjudged, no it is because they are also doing the same things. Just as they have not been caught or exposed, they are defending their bad actions, wrong behavior, or bad choices, not caring about the person. They want whatever wrong they’re doing to be accepted and seen as right. So, when their time to be exposed comes, you won’t judge them. Nobody cares unless it is beneficiary.”

Quotes Or PhilosophyLife Lessons Or Life CoachRight Or WrongWisdom Or KnowledgeChoose Or ChoseChoices Or OptionsMoral Or EthicsExposed Or Leaked
Author:De philosopher DJ Kyos
Create image