It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time. – Samuel Johnson
Those who attain any excellence, commonly spend life in one pursuit; for excellence is not often gained upon easier terms. – Samuel Johnson
Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it. – Samuel Johnson
Some desire is necessary to keep life in motion, and he whose real wants are supplied must admit those of fancy. – Samuel Johnson
Every man who attacks my belief, diminishes in some degree my confidence in it, and therefore makes me uneasy; and I am angry with him who makes me uneasy. – Samuel Johnson
A wise man will make haste to forgive, because he knows the true value of time, and will not suffer it to pass away in unnecessary pain. – Samuel Johnson
There are some sluggish men who are improved by drinking; as there are fruits that are not good until they are rotten. – Samuel Johnson
We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know because they have never deceived us. – Samuel Johnson
Subordination tends greatly to human happiness. Were we all upon an equality, we should have no other enjoyment than mere animal pleasure. – Samuel Johnson
Prepare for death, if here at night you roam, and sign your will before you sup from home. – Samuel Johnson
To get a name can happen but to few; it is one of the few things that cannot be brought. It is the free gift of mankind, which must be deserved before it will be granted, and is at last unwillingly bestowed. – Samuel Johnson
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. – Samuel Johnson
Surely a long life must be somewhat tedious, since we are forced to call in so many trifling things to help rid us of our time, which will never return. – Samuel Johnson
Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it makes some virtues impracticable, and others extremely difficult. – Samuel Johnson
Friendship, like love, is destroyed by long absence, though it may be increased by short intermissions. – Samuel Johnson
He that fails in his endeavors after wealth or power will not long retain either honesty or courage. – Samuel Johnson
If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance. – Samuel Johnson
Every man has a right to utter what he thinks truth, and every other man has a right to knock him down for it. Martyrdom is the test. – Samuel Johnson
Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified. – Samuel Johnson