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Samuel Johnson Quotes

Biography

Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) was an English writer and lexicographer, best known for his publication of "A Dictionary of the English Language" in 1755. This monumental work remained the preeminent English dictionary until the Oxford English Dictionary appeared 150 years later. more Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) was an English writer and lexicographer, best known for his publication of "A Dictionary of the English Language" in 1755. This monumental work remained the preeminent English dictionary until the Oxford English Dictionary appeared 150 years later. Johnson's other notable achievements include his biography "The Life of Mr Richard Savage" (1744) and the critical work "Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets" (1779–1781). Johnson also contributed significantly to literary criticism and journalism, including his periodical essays in "The Rambler" (1750-1752). He was a prominent figure in the London literary world and a central member of the celebrated Club, which included luminaries like Joshua Reynolds and Edmund Burke. less

Popular Quotes

"Every man has a right to utter what he thinks truth, and every other man has a right to knock him down for it"
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"The love of life is necessary to the vigorous prosecution of any undertaking"
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"He who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition will waste his life in fruitless efforts"
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"Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance"
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"Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble"
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"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford"
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"Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance"
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"To be idle and to be poor have always been reproaches, and therefore every man endeavors with his utmost care to hide his poverty from others and his idleness from himself"
Tags: Struggle, Work ethic, Self-perception, Poverty, Self-deception
"Language is the dress of thought"
Tags: Philosophy, Creativity, Communication, Expression, Metaphor
"Almost every man wastes part of his life attempting to display qualities which he does not possess"
Tags: Personal growth, Self-improvement, Self-awareness, Human nature, Authenticity
"A man of genius has been seldom ruined but by himself"
Tags: Human nature, Responsibility, Autonomy, Talent, Inner conflict
"No man was ever great by imitation"
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"The greatest part of a writer's time is spent in reading in order to write; a man will turn over half a library to make one book"
Tags: Inspiration, Creativity, Knowledge, Literature, Writing
"Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect"
Tags: Mindset, Learning, Knowledge, Curiosity, Mental strength
"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel"
Tags: Ethics, Integrity, Patriotism, Criticism, Nationalism
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