Samuel Johnson on Shakespeare Quotes

“Imitations produce pain or pleasure, not because they are mistaken for realities, but because they bring realities to mind.”
― Samuel Johnson, Samuel Johnson on Shakespeare

“Shakespeare opens a mine which contains gold and diamonds in unexhaustible plenty, though clouded by incrustations, debased by impurities, and mingled with a mass of meaner minerales.”
― Samuel Johnson, Samuel Johnson on Shakespeare

“The composition of Shakespeare is a forest, in which oaks extend in the air, interspersed sometimes with weeds and brambles, and sometimes giving shelting to myrtles and to roses; filling the eye with awful pomp, and gratifying the mind with endless diversity.”
― Samuel Johnson, Samuel Johnson on Shakespeare

“The work is performed, first by railing at the stupidity, negligence, ignorance, and asinine tastelessness of the former editors,”
― Samuel Johnson, Johnson on Shakespeare : essays and notes