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Samuel Johnson Quotes about Curiosity

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Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.

Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.

Samuel Johnson
Education, Curiosity, Genius
The Rambler, No. 103, March 12, 1751.

Curiosity is the thirst of the soul.

Samuel Johnson
Soul, Curiosity, Thirst
Samuel Johnson, Hester Lynch Piozzi, James Boswell (1804). “The beauties of Samuel Johnson, LL. D.: consisting of maxims and observations, moral, critical, and miscellaneous: to which are now added biographical anecdotes of the doctor, selected from the works of Mrs. Piozzi;--his Life, recently published by Mr. Boswell, and other authentic testimonies; also his will, and the sermon he wrote for the late Doctor Dodd”, p.154

A generous and elevated mind is distinguished by nothing more certainly than an eminent degree of curiosity.

Samuel Johnson
Curiosity, Mind, Degrees
Dedication of his English translation of Fr. J. Lobo's 'Voyage to Abyssinia' (1735), signed 'the editor' but attributed to Johnson in James Boswell 'The Life of Samuel Johnson' (1791) vol. 1, p. 89 (1734)

Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect. Every advance into knowledge opens new prospects, and produces new incitements to farther progress.

Samuel Johnson
Happiness, Curiosity, Progress
Samuel Johnson, William Page (1860). “Life and Writings”, p.37

Among the many inconsistencies which folly produces or infirmity suffers in the human mind, there has often been observed a manifest and striking contrariety between the life of an author and his writings... Those whom the appearance of virtue or the evidence of genius has tempted to a nearer knowledge of the writer, in whose performances they may be found, have indeed had frequent reason to repent their curiosity.

Samuel Johnson
Writing, Curiosity, Mind
Samuel Johnson (1977). “Selected Poetry and Prose”, p.163, Univ of California Press

Read the book you do honestly feel a wish and curiosity to read.

Samuel Johnson
Book, Reading, Curiosity

Where necessity ends, desire and curiosity begin; and no sooner are we supplied with everything nature can demand than we sit down to contrive artificial appetites.

Samuel Johnson
Curiosity, Desire, Demand

Leisure and curiosity might soon make great advances in useful knowledge, were they not diverted by minute emulation and laborious trifles.

Samuel Johnson
Knowledge, Curiosity, Might
Samuel Johnson (1784). “The Rambler: In Four Volumes..”, p.97

The authors that in any nation last from age to age are very few, because there are very few that have any other claim to notice than that they catch hold on present curiosity, and gratify some accidental desire, or produce some temporary conveniency.

Samuel Johnson
Writing, Curiosity, Age
Samuel Johnson, Elizabeth Carter, Samuel Richardson, Catherine Talbot (1825). “The Rambler: A Periodical Paper, Published in 1750, 1751, 1752”

The specualtist, who is not content with superficial views, harasses himself with fruitless curiosity; and still, as he inquires more, perceives only that he knows less.

Samuel Johnson
Knowledge, Views, Curiosity

Among the lower classes of mankind there will be found very little desire of any other knowledge than what may contribute immediately to the relief of some pressing uneasiness, or the attainment of some near advantage.

Samuel Johnson
Class, Curiosity, Desire
Samuel Johnson, Elizabeth Carter, Samuel Richardson, Catherine Talbot (1825). “The Rambler: A Periodical Paper, Published in 1750, 1751, 1752”, p.206

Curiosity, like all other desires, produces pain as well as pleasure.

Samuel Johnson
Pain, Curiosity, Desire
Samuel Johnson, Hester Lynch Piozzi, James Boswell (1787). “The Beauties of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: Consisting of Maxims and Observations, Moral, Critical, and Miscellaneous, to which are Now Added, Biographical Anecdotes of the Doctor, Selected from the Late Productions of Mrs. Piozzi, Mr. Boswell, ...”, p.54

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