Samuel Johnson's best quotes (with sources)
The top 3 according to 237 votes from people: Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it. · Depend upon it, Sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully. · No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money.. (Updated Jul 19, 2020.)
From his Dictionary, Rasselas, The Rambler and Boswell's Life of Johnson: the real lines of the great English wit, dated where Boswell dated them, and without the famous one he never wrote.
Top 13
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1
Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it.
Boswell, Life of Johnson, 18 April 1775.
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2
Depend upon it, Sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.
Boswell, Life of Johnson, 19 September 1777. Often misquoted as 'hanged in the morning'.
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3
No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money.
Boswell, Life of Johnson, 5 April 1776.
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4
When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.
Boswell, Life of Johnson, 20 September 1777.
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5
Lexicographer: a writer of dictionaries, a harmless drudge.
A Dictionary of the English Language (1755).
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6
Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
Boswell, Life of Johnson, 7 April 1775.
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7
A decent provision for the poor is the true test of civilization.
Boswell, Life of Johnson, 1770.
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8
It was the triumph of hope over experience.
On a man who remarried right after an unhappy marriage. Boswell, Life of Johnson, 1770.
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9
Oats: a grain which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people.
A Dictionary of the English Language (1755).
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10
Human life is everywhere a state in which much is to be endured and little to be enjoyed.
The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia (1759).
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11
Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures.
The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia (1759).
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12
Men more frequently require to be reminded than informed.
The Rambler, No. 2, 24 March 1750.
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13
Patriotism is not necessarily included in rebellion. A man may hate his king, yet not love his country.
The Patriot (1774).
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Comments (1)
Good to see someone pointing out the 'hanged in a fortnight' line is usually misquoted. The oats one still makes me laugh 270 years later.