Samuel Johnson Quotes about Philosophy

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In solitude we have our dreams to ourselves, and in company we agree to dream in concert.

In solitude we have our dreams to ourselves, and in company we agree to dream in concert.

Samuel Johnson

Dream, Art, Philosophy

James Boswell, Samuel Johnson (1799). “Life of Johnson: Including Boswell's Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides and Johnson's Diary of a Journey Into North Wales”, p.167

Dictionaries are like watches, the worst is better than none and the best cannot be expected to go quite true.

Samuel Johnson

Art, Philosophy, History

Letter to Francesco Sastres, 21 Aug. 1784

Philosophy has often attempted to repress insolence by asserting that all conditions are leveled by death; a position which, however it may defect the happy, will seldom afford much comfort to the wretched.

Samuel Johnson

Death, Philosophy, Comfort

Samuel Johnson (1848). “The Wisdom of the Rambler, Adventurer, and Idler”, p.277

We must consider how very little history there is--I mean real, authentic history. That certain kings reigned and certain battles were fought, we can depend upon as true; but all the coloring, all the philosophy, of history is conjecture.

Samuel Johnson

Kings, Philosophy, Real

James Boswell, Samuel Johnson (1859). “The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL. D.: Including a Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides”, p.526

Whatever withdraws us from the power of our senses; whatever makes the past, the distant, or the future, predominate over the present, advances us in the dignity of thinking beings. Far from me, and far from my friends be such frigid philosophy as may conduct us indifferent and unmoved over any ground which has been dignified by wisdom, bravery, or virtue. That man is little to be envied whose patriotism would not gain force upon the plain of Marathon, or whose piety would not grow warmer among the ruins of Ionia.

Samuel Johnson

Philosophy, Thinking, Past

'A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland' (1775) 'Inch Kenneth'

Deign on the passing world to turn thine eyes, And pause awhile from letters, to be wise.

Samuel Johnson

Wise, Art, Philosophy

'The Vanity of Human Wishes' (1749) l. 157

Art hath an enemy called ignorance.

Samuel Johnson

Art, Philosophy, Ignorance

The gratification which affluence of wealth, extent of power, and eminence of reputation confer, must be always, by their own nature, confined to a very small number; and the life of the greater part of mankind must be lost in empty wishes and painful comparisons, were not the balm of philosophy shed upon us, and our discontent at the appearances of unequal distribution soothed and appeased.

Samuel Johnson

Philosophy, Small Numbers, Humanity

Samuel Johnson, Arthur Murphy (1857). “The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: With an Essay on His Life and Genius”, p.110