[Samuel] Johnson's conversation was by much too strong for a person accustomed to obsequiousness and flattery; it was mustard in a young child's mouth!

... one should know the value of Life better than to pout any part of it away.

I am perpetually bringing or losing babies, both very dreadful operations to me, and which tear mind and body both in pieces very cruelly.

Tis never for their wisdom that one loves the wisest...

Women bear Crosses better than Men do, but bear Surprizes - worse.

A physician can sometimes parry the scythe of death, but has no power over the sand in the hourglass.

What signifies, says some one, giving halfpence to beggars? they only lay it out in gin or tobacco. "And why should they be denied such sweeteners of their existence (says Johnson)? it is surely very savage to refuse them every possible avenue to pleasure, reckoned too coarse for our own acceptance. Life is a pill which none of us can bear to swallow without gilding.