No place affords a more striking conviction of the vanity of human hopes than a public library; for who can see the wall crowded on every side by mighty volumes, the works of laborious meditations and accurate inquiry, now scarcely…

Quote by Samuel Johnson

Topics: Libraries Quotes

To cultivate kindness is a valuable part of the business of life.

To cultivate kindness is a valuable part of the business of life.

Critics, like the rest of mankind, are very frequently misled by interest

Critics, like the rest of mankind, are very frequently misled by interest

Mankind have a great aversion to intellectual labor; but even supposing knowledge to be easily...

Mankind have a great aversion to intellectual labor; but even supposing knowledge to be easily...

It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes...

It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes...

The advice that is wanted is commonly not welcome and that which is not wanted,...

The advice that is wanted is commonly not welcome and that which is not wanted,...

The vanity of being known to be trusted with a secret is generally one of...

The vanity of being known to be trusted with a secret is generally one of...

It is not from reason and prudence that people marry, but from inclination

It is not from reason and prudence that people marry, but from inclination

I should as soon think of contradicting a bishop

I should as soon think of contradicting a bishop

Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy...

Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy...

A man may be so much of everything that he is nothing of anything.

A man may be so much of everything that he is nothing of anything.

One of the amusements of idleness is reading without the fatigue of close attention; and...

One of the amusements of idleness is reading without the fatigue of close attention; and...

At seventy-seven it is time to be in earnest.

At seventy-seven it is time to be in earnest.

He that has once concluded it lawful to resist power, when it wants merit, will...

He that has once concluded it lawful to resist power, when it wants merit, will...

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...

Small debts are like small shot; they are rattling on every side, and can scarcely...

Small debts are like small shot; they are rattling on every side, and can scarcely...

Pride is seldom delicate; it will please itself with very mean advantages.

Pride is seldom delicate; it will please itself with very mean advantages.

Nature has given women so much power that the law has very wisely given them...

Nature has given women so much power that the law has very wisely given them...

What we hope ever to do with ease, we must learn first to do with...

What we hope ever to do with ease, we must learn first to do with...

Diligence is the mother of good fortune.

Diligence is the mother of good fortune.

When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in...

When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in...