While an author is yet living we estimate his powers by his worst performance, and when he is dead we rate them by his best

Quote by Samuel Johnson

Topics: Writers Quotes

The happiest part of a man's life is what he passes lying awake in bed...

The happiest part of a man's life is what he passes lying awake in bed...

Love is the wisdom of the fool and the folly of the wise.

Love is the wisdom of the fool and the folly of the wise.

Classical quotation is the parole of literary men all over the world.

Classical quotation is the parole of literary men all over the world.

Nature makes us poor only when we want necessaries, but custom gives the name of...

Nature makes us poor only when we want necessaries, but custom gives the name of...

The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its...

The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its...

The mind is never satisfied with the objects immediately before it, but is always breaking...

The mind is never satisfied with the objects immediately before it, but is always breaking...

Those who have no power to judge of past times but by their own, should...

Those who have no power to judge of past times but by their own, should...

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...

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

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

Books that you carry to the fire, and hold readily in your hand, are most...

Books that you carry to the fire, and hold readily in your hand, are most...

A man who uses a great many words to express his meaning is like a...

A man who uses a great many words to express his meaning is like a...

Those who do not feel pain seldom think that it is felt

Those who do not feel pain seldom think that it is felt

Beauty lies in the hands of the beerholder

Beauty lies in the hands of the beerholder

I would rather see the portrait of a dog that I know, than all the...

I would rather see the portrait of a dog that I know, than all the...

To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition, the end to...

To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition, the end to...

To love one that is great, is almost to be great one's self.

To love one that is great, is almost to be great one's self.

Controversies merely speculative are of small importance in themselves, however they may have sometimes heated...

Controversies merely speculative are of small importance in themselves, however they may have sometimes heated...

Adversity has ever been considered the state in which a man most easily becomes acquainted...

Adversity has ever been considered the state in which a man most easily becomes acquainted...

Without frugality none can be rich, and with it very few would be poor.

Without frugality none can be rich, and with it very few would be poor.

Actions are visible, though motives are secret.

Actions are visible, though motives are secret.