Samuel Johnson

English writer and lexicographer (1709–1784)

9 quotes in the MindQuotes library.

About

Samuel Johnson, a major figure of 18th-century English literature, was born in Lichfield in 1709. After studies at Oxford interrupted by lack of funds, he settled in London in 1737. His monumental work, A Dictionary of the English Language (1755), set a standard for lexicography. He also left his mark on literary criticism with his essays, his edition of Shakespeare, and his Lives of the English Poets. His brilliant conversation, recorded by James Boswell, made him a central figure in London literary circles.

* 1709-09-18 — † 1784-12-13

Major works

A Dictionary of the English Language (1755)dictionary
The Vanity of Human Wishes (1749)poem
The Rambler (1750-1752)essays
Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia (1759)novel
Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets (1779-1781)biographies and literary criticism

Key milestones

1755Publication of his Dictionary of the English Language, which remained authoritative for over a century.
1764Co-founded the Literary Club with Joshua Reynolds, bringing together figures such as Edmund Burke and Oliver Goldsmith.
1791James Boswell published his biography, The Life of Samuel Johnson, considered a masterpiece of the genre.

Themes

moralityvanity of human wishesliterary criticismlanguage and lexicographyauthorial independence

Sources: britannica.com · bbc.co.uk · library.harvard.edu

“Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.”

— Samuel Johnson

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“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.”

— Samuel Johnson

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“The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.”

— Samuel Johnson

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“Our aspirations are our possibilities.”

— Samuel JohnsonTheme · Motivation

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“Knowledge is of two kinds: We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information about it.”

— Samuel JohnsonTheme · Knowledge

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“Knowledge is more than equivalent to force.”

— Samuel JohnsonTheme · Knowledge

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“To improve the golden moment of opportunity and catch the good that is within our reach is the great art of life.”

— Samuel JohnsonTheme · Wisdom

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“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 JohnsonTheme · Motivation

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“No one ever regarded the first of January as the first of January when it was not the first of January.”

— Samuel JohnsonTheme · Humor

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