Samuel Johnson Quotes About Benevolence

• It is, indeed, at home that every man must be known by those who would make a just estimate either of his virtue or felicity; for smiles and embroidery are alike occasional, and the mind is often dressed for show in painted honor, and fictitious benevolence.

  Samuel Johnson

  Home, Men, Honor

  "The Rambler No. 68" by Samuel Johnson, November 10, 1750.

• It is not indeed certain, that the most refined caution will find a proper time for bringing a man to the knowledge of his own failing, or the most zealous benevolence reconcile him to that judgment by which they are detected; but he who endeavours only the happiness of him whom he reproves will always have either the satisfaction of obtaining or deserving kindness; if he succeeds, he benefits his friend; and if he fails, he has at least the consciousness that he suffers for only doing well.

  Samuel Johnson

  Kindness, Men, Advice

  Samuel Johnson, Arthur Murphy (1857). “The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: With an Essay on His Life and Genius”, p.74

• Politeness is fictitious benevolence. Depend upon it, the want of it never fails to produce something disagreeable to one or other.

  Samuel Johnson

  Want, Failing, Produce

  James Boswell, Samuel Johnson (2006). “A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland and the Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides”, p.200, Penguin UK

• Every man has frequent grievances which only the solicitude of friendship will discover and remedy, and which would remain for ever unheeded in the mighty heap of human calamity, were it only surveyed by the eye of general benevolence equally attentive to every misery.

  Samuel Johnson

  Eye, Men, Humanity

  Samuel Johnson (1784). “The Rambler: In Four Volumes..”, p.267

• Spring is the season of gaiety, and winter of terror; in spring the heart of tranquility dances to the melody of the groves, and the eye of benevolence sparkles at the sight of happiness and plenty: in winter, compassion melts at universal calamity, and the tear of softness starts at the wailing of hunger and the cries of the creation in distress

  Samuel Johnson

  Spring, Heart, Eye

• All imposture weakens confidence and chills benevolence.

  Samuel Johnson

  Deceit, Chill, Benevolence

  Samuel Johnson (1796). “Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia ... A new edition, with engravings”, p.211

• Surely nothing is more reproachful to a being endowed with reason, than to resign its powers to the influence of the air, and live in dependence on the weather and the wind, for the only blessings which nature has put into our power, tranquillity and benevolence. To look up to the sky for the nutriment of our bodies, is the condition of nature; to call upon the sun for peace and gaiety, or deprecate the clouds lest sorrow should overwhelm us, is the cowardice of idleness, and the idolatry of folly.

  Samuel Johnson

  Blessing, Clouds, Air

  Samuel Johnson, Peter Martin (2009). “Samuel Johnson: Selected Writings”, p.73, Harvard University Press

• Politeness is fictitious benevolence.

  Samuel Johnson

  Manners, Politeness, Benevolence

  Dr. Samuel Johnson (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of Samuel Johnson (Illustrated)”, p.8598, Delphi Classics

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