Samuel Johnson

A am a great friend of public amusements, they keep people from vice.

No man was ever great by imitation.

I have always considered it as treason against the great republic of human nature, to make any man’s virtues the means of deceiving him.

Few enterprises of great labor or hazard would be undertaken if we had not the power of magnifying the advantages we expect from them.

Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.

To love one that is great, is almost to be great one’s self.

Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.

Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness it certainly destroys liberty, and it makes some virtues impracticable, and others extremely difficult.

If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance.