PU'RIST: one superstitiously nice in the use of words.
— Samuel Johnson
PU'RIST: one superstitiously nice in the use of words.
— Samuel Johnson
PU'RIST: one superstitiously nice in the use of words.
— Samuel Johnson
NE'TWORK: Any thing reticulated or decussated, at equal distances, with interstices between the intersections.......RETI'CULATED: Made of network; formed with interstitial vacuities.
— Samuel Johnson
It is better to live rich than to die rich.
— Samuel Johnson
To keep your secret is wisdom, but to expect others to keep it is folly.
— Samuel Johnson
A decent provision for the poor is the true test of civilisation
— Samuel Johnson
Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
— Samuel Johnson
A man sometimes starts up a patriot, only by disseminating discontent, and propagating reports of secret influence, of dangerous counsels, of violated rights, and encroaching usurpation. This practice is no certain note of patriotism. To instigate the populace with rage beyond the provocation, is to suspend public happiness, if not to destroy it. He is no lover of his country, that unnecessarily disturbs its peace.
— Samuel Johnson
There is no matter what children should learn first, any more than what leg you should put into your breeches first. Sir, you may stand disputing which is best to put in first, but in the meantime your backside is bare. Sire, while you stand considering which of two things you should teach your child first, another boy has learn't 'em both.
— Samuel Johnson
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
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