When an author is yet living we estimate his powers by his worst performance and when he is dead we rate them by his best.

— Samuel Johnson

When any fit of gloominess or perversion of mind lays hold upon you make it a rule not to publish it by complaints.

— Samuel Johnson

When speculation has done its worst two and two still make four.

— Samuel Johnson

When two Englishmen meet their first talk is of the weather.

— Samuel Johnson

While an author is yet living we estimate his powers by his worst performance, and when he is dead we rate them by his best.

— Samuel Johnson

While grief is fresh every attempt to divert it only irritates.

— Samuel Johnson

While grief is fresh, every attempt to divert only irritates. You must wait till it be digested, and then amusement will dissipate the remains of it.

— Samuel Johnson

Whoever thinks of going to bed before twelve o'clock is a scoundrel.

— Samuel Johnson

Whoever thou art that, not content with a moderate condition, imagines happiness in royal magnificence, and dreamiest that command or riches can feed the appetite of novelty with perpetual gratifications, survey the Pyramids, and confess thy folly!

— Samuel Johnson

Words are but the signs of ideas.

— Samuel Johnson