James Boswell Quotes - Page 2

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Books Character Country Drinking Friendship Mankind Property

I have seen many a bear led by a man: but I never before saw a man led by a bear.

James Boswell

Men, Saws, Bears

James Boswell (1832). “The life of Samuel Johnson: including A journal of a tour to the Hebrides”, p.472

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As all who come into the country must obey the King, so all who come into an university must be of the Church.

James Boswell

Country, Kings, Church

James Boswell, John Wilson Croker (1831). “The life of Samuel Johnson ... including A journal of a tour to the Hebrides. With additions and notes, by J.W. Croker”, p.300

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He had no settled plan of life, nor looked forward at all, but merely lived from day to day. Yet he read a great deal in a desultory manner, without any scheme of study, as chance threw books in his way, and inclination directed him through them.

James Boswell

Book, Way, Chance

James Boswell (2015). “Life of Johnson: Top Biography”, p.1727, 谷月社

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I, who have no sisters or brothers, look with some degree of innocent envy on those who may be said to be born to friends.

James Boswell

Sister, Friends, Brother

James Boswell, Roger Ingpen (1791). “The Life of Samuel Johnson”, p.74

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Buffon, who, with all his theoretical ingenuity and extraordinary eloquence, I suspect had little actual information in the science on which he wrote so admirably For instance, he tells us that the cow sheds her horns every two years; a most palpable error. ... It is wonderful that Buffon who lived so much in the country at his noble seat should have fallen into such a blunder I suppose he has confounded the cow with the deer.

James Boswell

Country, Writing, Science

James Boswell (1863). “The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: Comprehending an Account of His Studies and Numerous Works, in Chronological Order; a Series of His Epistolary Correspondence and Conversations with Many Eminent Persons; and Various Original Pieces of His Composition Never Before Published: the Whole Exhibiting a View of Literature and Literary Men in Great-Britain, for Near Half a Century During which He Flourished”, p.54

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A companion loves some agreeable qualities which a man may possess, but a friend loves the man himself.

James Boswell

Love, Friendship, Real

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Wine makes a man better pleased with himself. I do not say that it makes him more pleasing to others. Sometimes it does. But the danger is, that while a man grows better pleased with himself, he may be growing less pleasing to others. Wine gives a man nothing. It neither gives him knowledge nor wit; it only animates a man, and enables him to bring out what a dread of the company has presented.

James Boswell

Wine, Men, Giving

James Boswell (2008). “Boswell's Life of Johnson: Easyread Edition”, p.181, ReadHowYouWant.com

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When a man is familiar with many people he must expect many disagreeable familiarizations.

James Boswell

Friendship, Men, People

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A woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hinter legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to see it done at all.

James Boswell

Sarcastic, Dog, Done

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It is not every man who can be exquisitely miserable, any more than exquisitely happy.

James Boswell

Men, Miserable, Every Man

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O charitable philosopher, I beg you to help me. My mind is weak but my soul is strong. Kindle that soul, and the sacred fire shall never be extinguished.

James Boswell

Strong, Fire, Soul

James Boswell, John Wain (1994). “The Journals of James Boswell, 1762-1795”, p.6, Yale University Press

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Many infidels have maintained that Ignorance is the mother of Devotion.

James Boswell

Mother, Ignorance, Worship

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A page of my journal is like a cake of portable soup. A little may be diffused into a considerable portion.

James Boswell

Cake, Soup, May

'Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides' (ed. F. A. Pottle, 1936) 13 September 1773

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We often observe in lawyers, who as Quicquid agunt homines is the matter of law suits, are sometimes obliged to pick up a temporary knowledge of an art or science, of which they understood nothing till their brief was delivered, and appear to be much masters of it.

James Boswell

Art, Knowledge, Science

James Boswell, Samuel Johnson, Edmond Malone (1824). “The life of Samuel Johnson, LL. D., comprehending an account of his studies, and numerous works, in chronological order: a series of his epistolary correspondence and conversations with many eminent persons; and various original pieces of his composition, never before published; the whole exhibiting a view of literature and literary men in Great Britain, for near half a century during which he flourished”, p.309

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One must be strict even in little things.

James Boswell

Littles, Little Things, Strict

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Those who would extirpate evil from the world know little of human nature. As well might punch be palatable without souring as existence agreeable without care.

James Boswell

Evil, World, Care

James Boswell (1956). “London Journal, 1762-1763, as First Published in 1950 from the Original Manuscript”

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I think there is a blossom about me of something more distinguished than the generality of mankind.

James Boswell

Thinking, Mankind, Distinguished

'Boswell's London Journal' (ed. F. A. Pottle, 1950) 20 January 1763

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My mind was, as it were, strongly impregnated with the Johnsonian ether.

James Boswell

Mind

James Boswell (1846). “The Life of Samuel Johnson: Including a Journal of His Tour to the Hebrides”, p.198

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The scent of Sloth tempts a smug man.

James Boswell

Men, Sloth, Scent

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For my own part I think no innocent species of wit or pleasantry should be suppressed: and that a good pun may be admitted among the smaller excellencies of lively conversation.

James Boswell

Thinking, May, Innocence

James Boswell (1807). “The life of Samuel Johnson, LL. D.: comprehending an account of his studies and numerous works, in chronological order; a series of his epistolatory correspondence and conversations with many eminent persons; and various original pieces of his composition, never before published: the whole exhibiting a view of literature and literary men in Great-Britain, for near half a century during which he flourished”, p.403

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Boswell: But, Sir is it not somewhat singular that you should happen to have Cocker's Arithmetic about you on your journey? Dr. Johnson: Why, Sir if you are to have but one book with you upon a journey, let it be a book of science. When you read through a book of entertainment, you know it, and it can do no more for you; but a book of science is inexhaustible.

James Boswell

Book, Science, Journey

James Boswell (1859). “Journal of a tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson LL.D.: containing some poetical pieces by Dr. Johnson, relative to the tour, and never before published ... : with an authentic account of the distresses and escape of the grandson of King James II. in the year 1746”, p.104

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I am, I flatter myself, completely a citizen of the world. In my travels through Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Corsica, France, I never felt myself from home.

James Boswell

Home, Switzerland, Germany

'Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides' (ed. F. A. Pottle, 1936) 14 August 1773

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Friendship, "the wine of life," should, like a well-stocked cellar, be continually renewed; and it is consolatory to think, that although we can seldom add what will equal the generous first growths of our youth, yet friendship becomes insensibly old in much less time than is commonly imagined, and not many years are required to make it mellow and pleasant.

James Boswell

Wine, Thinking, Years

James Boswell, Samuel Johnson, Edmond Malone (1824). “The life of Samuel Johnson, LL. D., comprehending an account of his studies, and numerous works, in chronological order: a series of his epistolary correspondence and conversations with many eminent persons; and various original pieces of his composition, never before published; the whole exhibiting a view of literature and literary men in Great Britain, for near half a century during which he flourished”, p.261

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Dr. Johnson ... sometimes employed himself in chymistry, sometimes in watering and pruning a vine, and sometimes in small experiments, at which those who may smile, should recollect that there are moments which admit of being soothed only by trifles.

James Boswell

Science, Drs, Vines

James Boswell (2008). “Boswell's Life of Johnson: Easyread Super Large 18pt Edition”, p.125, ReadHowYouWant.com

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My wife, who does not like journalizing, said it was leaving myself embowelled to posterity--a good strong figure. But I think itis rather leaving myself embalmed. It is certainly preserving myself.

James Boswell

Strong, Thinking, Wife

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Born: October 29, 1740
Died: May 19, 1795
Occupation: Lawyer
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