A generous and elevated mind is distinguished by nothing more certainly than an eminent degree of curiosity.
Samuel JohnsonMen are most powerfully affected by those evils which themselves feel, or which appear before their own eyes.
Samuel JohnsonWhen we see our enemies and friends gliding away before us, let us not forget that we are subject to the general law of mortality, and shall soon be where our doom will be fixed forever.
Samuel JohnsonFalsehoods of convenience or vanity, falsehoods from which no evil immediately visible ensues, except the general degradation of human testimony, are very lightly uttered, and once uttered are sullenly supported.
Samuel JohnsonThere is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern.
Samuel JohnsonIn a time of war the nation is always of one mind, eager to hear something good of themselves and ill of the enemy. At this time the task of the news-writer is easy; they have nothing to do but to tell that a battle is expected, and afterwards that a battle has been fought, in which we and our friends, whether conquering or conquered, did all, and our enemies did nothing.
Samuel Johnson