Samuel Johnson Quotes About Goodness

• As the greatest liar tells more truths than falsehoods, so may it be said of the worst man, that he does more good than evil.

  Samuel Johnson

  Liars, Men, Evil

  James Boswell, Samuel Johnson (1859). “The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL. D.: Including a Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides”, p.147

• The good of our present state is merely comparative, and the evil which every man feels will be sufficient to disturb and harass him if he does not know how much he escapes.

  Samuel Johnson

  Men, Evil, Doe

  Samuel Johnson (1827). “The Rambler”, p.244

• What is good only because it pleases cannot be pronounced good till it has been found to please.

  Samuel Johnson

  Goodness, Found, Please

  James Boswell, Samuel Johnson (1799). “Boswell's Life of Johnson: Including Boswell's Journal of a Tour of the Hebrides, and Johnson's Diary of A Journey Into North Wales”, p.232

• To wipe all tears from off all faces is a task too hard for mortals; but to alleviate misfortunes is often within the most limited power: yet the opportunities which every day affords of relieving the most wretched of human beings are overlooked and neglected with equal disregard of policy and goodness.

  Samuel Johnson

  Opportunity, Tears, Tasks

  Samuel Johnson, Arthur Murphy (1837). “The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL. D.: With an Essay on His Life and Genius /c by Arthur Murphy, Esq”, p.169

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