Samuel Johnson Motivational Quotes

• Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome.

  Samuel Johnson

  Inspirational, Motivational, Positive

  Samuel Johnson, Francis William Blagdon (1811). “The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia”, p.42

• Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.

  Samuel Johnson

  Life, Motivational, Confidence

  Samuel Johnson (1804). “The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland: And a Criticism on Their Works”, p.500

• Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified.

  Samuel Johnson

  Life, Motivational, Achievement

  Samuel Johnson, Arthur Murphy (1825). “The Works of Samuel Johnson: The Adventurer and Idler”, p.108

• He who does not mind his belly, will hardly mind anything else.

  Samuel Johnson

  Motivational, Fitness, Food

  In James Boswell 'The Life of Samuel Johnson' (1791) vol. 1, p. 467 (5 August 1763)

• If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance.

  Samuel Johnson

  Motivational, Perseverance, Determination

  Samuel Johnson (1834). “The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia: A Tale”, p.14

• If lawyers were to undertake no causes till they were sure they were just, a man might be precluded altogether from a trial of his claim, though, were it judicially examined, it might be found a very just claim.

  Samuel Johnson

  Inspirational, Motivational, Men

  Samuel Johnson (2010). “Journey to the Hebrides: A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland & The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides”, p.173, Canongate Books

• We love to expect, and when expectation is either disappointed or gratified, we want to be again expecting.

  Samuel Johnson

  Love, Inspirational, Life

  'The Lives of the English Poets' (1779-81) 'Butler'

• If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, sir, should keep his friendship in a constant repair.

  Samuel Johnson

  Inspirational, Life, Motivational

  Quoted in James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791) (entry for 1755)

• For life affords no higher pleasure, than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified. He that labours in any great or laudable undertaking, has his fatigues first supported by hope, and afterwards rewarded by joy... To strive with difficulties, and to conquer them, is the highest human felicity.

  Samuel Johnson

  Motivational, Joy, Wish

  "The Wisdom of the Rambler, Adventurer, and Idler".

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