Samuel Johnson

Birth: 1709-09-18 , Lichfield

Death: 1784-12-13 , Londres

Samuel Johnson was a prominent 18th-century English writer, lexicographer, essayist, poet, and literary critic. He is widely regarded as one of the most important literary figures in British history, famous for his 'A Dictionary of the English Language'.

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It is dangerous for mortal beauty, or terrestrial virtue, to be examined by too strong a light. The torch of Truth shows much that we cannot, and all that we would not, see.

The use of travelling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.

The stage but echoes back the public voice. / The drama’s laws the drama’s patrons give, / For we that live to please, must please to live.

There is a certain degree of temptation which will overcome any virtue. Now, in so far as you approach temptation to a man, you do him an injury; and, if he is overcome, you share his guilt.

He that teaches us anything which we knew not before is undoubtedly to be reverenced as a master.

Whoever rises above those who once pleased themselves with equality, will have many malevolent gazers at his eminence.

There must always be a struggle between a father and son, while one aims at power and the other at independence.

There are people whom one should like very well to drop, but would not wish to be dropped by.

In civilized society we all depend upon each other, and our happiness is very' much owing to the good opinion of mankind.

Levellers wish to level down as far as themselves; but they cannot bear levelling up to themselves.

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Samuel Johnson (18 September 1709 – 13 December 1784) was an English writer who became one of the most celebrated intellectuals of his time. Born in Lichfield, Staffordshire, he struggled with ill health and financial difficulties for much of his life. His most influential work, 'A Dictionary of the English Language' (1755), was a landmark in English lexicography, defining the vocabulary and spelling of the language. Johnson also produced insightful essays, sermons, poems, and biographies, including 'Lives of the Poets'. He was a central figure in London's literary circles, known for his sharp wit, brilliant conversation, and strong opinions. His life and work were immortalized in James Boswell's 'Life of Samuel Johnson', one of the most important biographies in English literature.