Category: Samuel Johnson

Power is not sufficient evidence of truth.

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.

Every man has a right to utter what he thinks truth, and every other man has a right to knock him down for it. Martyrdom is the test.

In order that all men may be taught to speak the truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it.

Poetry is the art of uniting pleasure with truth.

It is more from carelessness about truth than from intentionally lying that there is so much falsehood in the world.

Between falsehood and useless truth there is little difference. As gold which he cannot spend will make no man rich, so knowledge which cannot apply will make no man wise.