The Major Works Quotes

“No degree of knowledge attainable by man is able to set him above the want of hourly assistance, or to extinguish the desire of fond endearments, and tender officiousness; and therefore no one should think it unnecessary to learn those arts by which friendship may be gained. Kindness is preserved by a constant reciprocation of benefits or interchange of pleasures; but such benefits can only be bestowed as others are capable to receive, and such pleasures only imparted as others are qualified to enjoy.

By this descent from the pinnacles of art no honour will be lost; for the condescensions of learning are always overpaid by gratitude. An elevated genius employed in little things appears, to use the simile of Longinus, like the sun in his evening declination; he remits his splendour but remains his magnitude, and pleases more, though he dazzles less.”
― Samuel Johnson, The Major Works

“As we crossed the Firth of Forth, our curiosity was attracted by Inch Keith, a small island, which neither of my companions had ever visited, though, lying within their view, it had all their lives solicited their notice. Here, by climbing with some difficulty over shattered crags, we made the first experiment of unfrequented coasts. Inch Keith is nothing more than a rock covered with a thin layer of earth, not wholly bare of grass, and very fertile of thistles. A small herd of cows grazes annually upon it in the summer. It seems never to have afforded to man or beast a permanent habitation. We”
― Samuel Johnson, The Major Works of Samuel Johnson

“Of all the griefs, that harass the distressed, Sure the most bitter is a scornful jest; Fate never wounds more deep the generous heart, Than when a blockhead's insult points the dart.   Has”
― Samuel Johnson, The Major Works of Samuel Johnson

“Of all the griefs, that harass the distressed, Sure the most bitter is a scornful jest; Fate never wounds more deep the generous heart, Than”
― Samuel Johnson, The Major Works of Samuel Johnson

“Others, with softer smiles, and subtler art, Can sap the principles, or taint the heart; With more address a lover's note convey, Or bribe a virgin's innocence away. Well may they rise, while I, whose rustic tongue Ne'er knew to puzzle right, or varnish wrong, Spurned as a beggar, dreaded as a spy, Live unregarded, unlamented die.   For”
― Samuel Johnson, The Major Works of Samuel Johnson

“And here the fell attorney prowls for prey; Here falling houses thunder on your head, And here a female atheist talks you dead.    While”
― Samuel Johnson, The Major Works of Samuel Johnson

“Prologue to David Garrick's Lethe   Prodigious Madness of the writing Race! Ardent of Fame, yet fearless of Disgrace. Without a boding Fear, or anxious Sigh, The Bard obdurate sees his Brother die. Deaf to the Critic, sullen to the Friend, Not One takes Warning, by Another's End. Oft has our Bard in this disastrous Year, Beheld the Tragic Heroes taught to fear. Oft has he seen the Poignant Orange fly, And heard th' ill-omened Catcall's direful Cry. Yet dares to venture on the dangerous Stage, And weakly hopes to 'scape the Critic's Rage. This night he hopes to show that farce may charm, Though no lewd hint the mantling virgin warm, That useful truth with humour may unite. That”
― Samuel Johnson, The Major Works of Samuel Johnson

“All crimes are safe, but hated poverty. This, only this, the rigid law pursues, This,”
― Samuel Johnson, The Major Works of Samuel Johnson