Samuel Johnson Quotes About Atheism

• Prejudice, not being founded on reason, cannot be removed by argument.

  Samuel Johnson

  Religion, Atheism, Prejudice

• Truth, Sir, is a cow which will yield such people no more milk, and so they are gone to milk the bull.

  Samuel Johnson

  Truth, Yield, People

  1763 Of sceptics. Remark, 21 Jul. Quoted in James Boswell The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791), vol.1.

• God Himself, sir, does not propose to judge a man until his life is over. Why should you and I?

  Samuel Johnson

  Atheist, Inspiration, Men

• All argument is against it; but all belief is for it.

  Samuel Johnson

  Atheism, Belief, Argument

  Quoted in James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791) (entry for 31 Mar. 1778)

• We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know because they have never deceived us.

  Samuel Johnson

  Life, Trust, Believe

  Samuel Johnson, Arthur Murphy (1840). “The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL. D.: With an Essay on His Life and Genius /c by Arthur Murphy, Esq”, p.433

• A transition from an author's book to his conversation is too often like an entrance into a large city, after a distant prospect. Remotely, we see nothing but spires of temples and turrets of palaces, and imagine it the residence of splendour, grandeur, and magnificence; but when we have passed the gates, we find it perplexed with narrow passages, disgraced with despicable cottages, embarrassed with obstructions, and clouded with smoke.

  Samuel Johnson

  Fear, Book, Writing

  Samuel Johnson (1827). “The Rambler”, p.13

• It has long been observed, that an atheist has no just reason for endeavouring conversions; and yet none harass those minds which they can influence, with more importunity of solicitation to adopt their opinions. In proportion as they doubt the truth of their own doctrines, they are desirous to gain the attestation of another understanding: and industriously labour to win a proselyte, and eagerly catch at the slightest pretense to dignify their sect with a distinguished name.

  Samuel Johnson

  Atheist, Winning, Names

  Samuel Johnson (1819). “The Beauties of Samuel Johnson: Consisting of Maxims and Observations, Moral, Critical, and Miscellaneous”, p.40

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