It seems not more reasonable to leave the right of printing unrestrained, because writers may be afterwards censured, than it would be to sleep with doors unbolted, because by our laws we can hang a thief.

Quote by Samuel Johnson

Topics: Writers Quotes

Agriculture not only gives riches to a nation, but the only riches she can call...

Agriculture not only gives riches to a nation, but the only riches she can call...

Admiration begins where acquaintance ceases

Admiration begins where acquaintance ceases

Courtesy and good humor are often found with little real worth.

Courtesy and good humor are often found with little real worth.

The applause of a single human being is of great consequence.

The applause of a single human being is of great consequence.

The animadversions of critics are commonly such as may easily provoke the sedatest writer to...

The animadversions of critics are commonly such as may easily provoke the sedatest writer to...

Fraud and falsehood only dread examination. Truth invites it.

Fraud and falsehood only dread examination. Truth invites it.

No place affords a more striking conviction of the vanity of human hopes than a...

No place affords a more striking conviction of the vanity of human hopes than a...

Treating your adversary with respect is striking soft in battle.

Treating your adversary with respect is striking soft in battle.

Praise is so pleasing to the mind of man that it is the original of...

Praise is so pleasing to the mind of man that it is the original of...

Agriculture not only gives riches to a nation, but the only riches she can call...

Agriculture not only gives riches to a nation, but the only riches she can call...

While an author is yet living we estimate his powers by his worst performance, and...

While an author is yet living we estimate his powers by his worst performance, and...

I would be loath to speak ill of any person who I do not know...

I would be loath to speak ill of any person who I do not know...

All intellectual improvement arises from leisure

All intellectual improvement arises from leisure

When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his...

When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his...

Of all noises, I think music is the least disagreeable.

Of all noises, I think music is the least disagreeable.

Many things difficult to design prove easy to performance.

Many things difficult to design prove easy to performance.

The longer we live, and the more we think, the higher value we learn to...

The longer we live, and the more we think, the higher value we learn to...

Depend upon it that if a man talks of his misfortunes there is something in...

Depend upon it that if a man talks of his misfortunes there is something in...

So many objections may be made to everything, that nothing can overcome them but the...

So many objections may be made to everything, that nothing can overcome them but the...

It is reasonable to have perfection in our eye that we may always advance toward...

It is reasonable to have perfection in our eye that we may always advance toward...