Samuel Johnson Quotes About Death

• It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time.

  Samuel Johnson

  Death, Time, Men

  Quoted in James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791) (entry for 26 Oct. 1769)

• To neglect at any time preparation for death is to sleep on our post at a siege; to omit it in old age is to sleep at an attack.

  Samuel Johnson

  Death, Sleep, Preparation

  The Rambler no. 78 (15 Dec. 1750)

• His death eclipsed the gayety of nations, and impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure.

  Samuel Johnson

  Death, Pleasure, Nations

  Samuel Johnson, Arthur Murphy (1842). “The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL. D.: With and Essay on His Life and Genius”, p.120

• Philosophy has often attempted to repress insolence by asserting that all conditions are leveled by death; a position which, however it may defect the happy, will seldom afford much comfort to the wretched.

  Samuel Johnson

  Death, Philosophy, Comfort

  Samuel Johnson (1848). “The Wisdom of the Rambler, Adventurer, and Idler”, p.277

• The time will come to every human being when it must be known how well he can bear to die.

  Samuel Johnson

  Death, Bears, Wells

  Sir Thomas Browne, Samuel Johnson (1852). “The Works of Sir Thomas Browne: Preface. Dr. Johnson's Life of Sir Thomas Browne. Supplementary memoir by the editor. Mrs. Lyttleton's communication to Bishop Kennet. Pseudodoxia epidemica, books I-IV”, p.32

• The uncertainty of death is, in effect, the great support of the whole system of life.

  Samuel Johnson

  Death, Support, Effects

• Disease generally begins that equality which death completes.

  Samuel Johnson

  Death, Equality, Disease

  Samuel Johnson (1820). “The Rambler”, p.257

• I will be conquered; I will not capitulate.

  Samuel Johnson

  Death, Dying

  Talking of his illness, in James Boswell 'The Life of Samuel Johnson' (1791) vol. 4, p. 374 (November 1784)

• When a friend is carried to his grave, we at once find excuses for every weakness, and palliation of every fault. We recollect a thousand endearments, which before glided off our minds without impression, a thousand favors unrepaid, a thousand duties unperformed; and wish, vainly wish, for his return, not so much that we may receive as that we may bestow happiness, and recompense that kindness which before we never understood.

  Samuel Johnson

  Death, Kindness, Mind

  Samuel Johnson (1848). “The Wisdom of the Rambler, Adventurer, and Idler”, p.45

• Prepare for death, if here at night you roam, and sign your will before you sup from home.

  Samuel Johnson

  Death, Home, Night

  Samuel Johnson (1820). “The Poems of Dr. Samuel Johnson. To which is Prefixed, a Life of the Author”, p.30

• When we see our enemies and friends gliding away before us, let us not forget that we are subject to the general law of mortality, and shall soon be where our doom will be fixed forever.

  Samuel Johnson

  Death, Law, Forever

  James Boswell, Samuel Johnson (1799). “Life of Johnson: Including Boswell's Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides and Johnson's Diary of a Journey Into North Wales”, p.442

• Do not ... hope wholly to reason away your troubles; do not feed them with attention, and they will die imperceptibly away. Fix your thoughts upon your business, fill your intervals with company, and sunshine will again break in upon your mind.

  Samuel Johnson

  Death, Hope, Sunshine

  Samuel Johnson (2014). “The Letters of Samuel Johnson, Volume II: 1773-1776”, p.299, Princeton University Press

• It seems to be remarkable that death increases our veneration for the good, and extenuates our hatred for the bad.

  Samuel Johnson

  Death, Hatred, Increase

  Samuel Johnson (1761). “The Rambler: In Four Volumes”, p.4

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