Every man is rich or poor according to the proportion between his desires and his enjoyments. – Samuel Johnson
The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good. – Samuel Johnson
He that undervalues himself will undervalue others, and he that undervalues others will oppress them. – Samuel Johnson
It is better that some should be unhappy rather than that none should be happy, which would be the case in a general state of equality. – Samuel Johnson
You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford. – Samuel Johnson
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. – Samuel Johnson
So far is it from being true that men are naturally equal, that no two people can be half an hour together, but one shall acquire an evident superiority over the other. – Samuel Johnson
Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged. – Samuel Johnson
Wine makes a man more pleased with himself; I do not say it makes him more pleasing to others. – Samuel Johnson
Books that you carry to the fire, and hold readily in your hand, are most useful after all. – Samuel Johnson
The wretched have no compassion, they can do good only from strong principles of duty. – Samuel Johnson
Life is not long, and too much of it must not pass in idle deliberation how it shall be spent. – Samuel Johnson
Read over your compositions, and when you meet a passage which you think is particularly fine, strike it out. – Samuel Johnson
Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those who we cannot resemble. – Samuel Johnson