Quotes to inspire and reflect

When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.

All argument is against it; but all belief is for it.

Depend upon it, Sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.

If I had no duties, and no reference to futurity, I would spend my life in driving briskly in a post-chaise with a pretty woman.

BOSWELL : Sir, what is poetry?

A man who has not been in Italy, is always conscious of an inferiority, from his not having seen what it is expected a man should see.

There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn.

In lapidary inscriptions a man is not upon oath.

Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it.

Politics are now nothing more than means of rising in the world.

Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.

A man will turn over half a library to make one book.

He was dull in a new way, and that made many people think him great.

Fleet-street has a very animated appearance; but I think the full tide of human existence is at Charing-Cross.

There are few ways in which a man can be more innocently employed than in getting money.

ELPHINSTON : What, have you not read it through?

The triumph of hope over experience.

Every man has a lurking wish to appear considerable in his native place.

That fellow seems to me to possess but one idea, and that is a wrong one.

It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time.

I refute it thus.

Most schemes of political improvement are very laughable things.

Don’t, Sir, accustom yourself to use big words for little matters.

A woman’s preaching is like a dog’s walking on his hinder legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all.

Truth, Sir, is a cow, that will yield such people [sceptics] no more milk, and so they are gone to milk the bull.

Why, Sir, Sherry is dull, naturally dull; but it must have taken him a great deal of pains to become what we now see him. Such an excess of stupidity, Sir, is not in Nature.

A man ought to read just as inclination leads him; for what he reads as a task will do him little good.

But if he does really think that there is no distinction between virtue and vice, why, Sir, when he leaves our houses, let us count our spoons.

BOSWELL : I do indeed come from Scotland, but I cannot help it …

The noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees, is the high road that leads him to England!

If a man does not make new acquaintance as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, Sir, should keep his friendship in constant repair.

No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a jail; for being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned.

Is not a Patron, my Lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and, when he has reached ground, encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labours, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it.

Ignorance, madam, pure ignorance.

This man I thought had been a Lord among wits; but, I find, he is only a wit among Lords.

They teach the morals of a whore, and the manners of a dancing master.

A man may write at any time, if he will set himself doggedly to it.

I’ll come no more behind your scenes, David; for the silk stockings and white bosoms of your actresses excite my amorous propensities.

I am sorry I have not learned to play at cards. It is very useful in life: it generates kindness and consolidates society.

Sir, we are a nest of singing birds.

A cucumber should be well sliced, and dressed with pepper and vinegar, and then thrown out, as good for nothing.

I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigree of nations.

A lawyer has no business with the justice or injustice of the cause which he undertakes, unless his client asks his opinion, and then he is bound to give it honestly. The justice or injustice of the cause is to be decided by the judge.

Still raise for good the supplicating voice,

Hides from himself his state, and shuns to know,

He left the name, at which the world grew pale,

Let observation with extensive view,

A frame of adamant, a soul of fire,