Samuel Johnson Quotes About Patriots

• It is unpleasing to represent our affairs to our own disadvantage; yet it is necessary to shew the evils which we desire to be removed.

  Samuel Johnson

  Evil, Desire, Patriot

  Samuel Johnson, Arthur Murphy (1825). “The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: With Murphy's Essay”, p.358

• He that accepts protection, stipulates obedience. We have always protected the Americans; we may therefore subject them to government.

  Samuel Johnson

  Government, May, Revolution

  Thomas M. Curley, Samuel Johnson (1998). “Sir Robert Chambers: Law, Literature, and Empire in the Age of Johnson”, p.125, Univ of Wisconsin Press

• It is the quality of patriotism to be jealous and watchful, to observe all secret machinations, and to see publick dangers at a distance. The true lover of his country is ready to communicate his fears, and to sound the alarm, whenever he perceives the approach of mischief. But he sounds no alarm, when there is no enemy; he never terrifies his countrymen till he is terrified himself. The patriotism, therefore, may be justly doubted of him, who professes to be disturbed by incredibilities.

  Samuel Johnson

  Country, Distance, Jealous

  Samuel Johnson, Arthur Murphy (1811). “The Works of Samuel Johnson, L. L. D.: In Twelve Volumes”, p.135

• A patriot is he whose public conduct is regulated by one single motive, the love of his country; who, as an agent in parliament, has, for himself, neither hope nor fear, neither kindness nor resentment, but refers every thing to the common interest

  Samuel Johnson

  Country, Kindness, Patriotism

  Samuel Johnson, Arthur Murphy (1857). “The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: With an Essay on His Life and Genius”, p.423

• Let us take a patriot, where we can meet him; and, that we may not flatter ourselves by false appearances, distinguish those marks which are certain, from those which may deceive; for a man may have the external appearance of a patriot, without the constituent qualities; as false coins have often lustre, though they want weight.

  Samuel Johnson

  Men, Quality, Coins

  Samuel Johnson (1810). “The works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: With An essay on his life and genius”, p.143

• He that wishes to see his country robbed of its rights cannot be a patriot.

  Samuel Johnson

  Country, Rights, Wish

  Samuel Johnson, Arthur Murphy, Francis Pearson Walesby (1825). “Reviews, political tracts, and Lives of eminent persons”, p.221

• Some claim a place in the list of patriots, by an acrimonious and unremitting opposition to the court. This mark is by no means infallible. Patriotism is not necessarily included in rebellion. A man may hate his king, yet not love his country.

  Samuel Johnson

  Country, Kings, Hate

  Samuel Johnson, Arthur Murphy (1838). “Works”, p.423

• In a time of war the nation is always of one mind, eager to hear something good of themselves and ill of the enemy. At this time the task of the news-writer is easy; they have nothing to do but to tell that a battle is expected, and afterwards that a battle has been fought, in which we and our friends, whether conquering or conquered, did all, and our enemies did nothing.

  Samuel Johnson

  War, Mind, Enemy

  Samuel Johnson (1968). “Essays from the Rambler, Adventurer, and Idler”, p.289, Yale University Press

• Our supple tribes repress their patriot throats, And ask no questions but the price of votes.

  Samuel Johnson

  Tribes, Vote, Patriot

  Oliver Goldsmith, Tobias Smollett, Samuel Johnson, William Shenstone (1861). “Poetical Works of Oliver Goldsmith, Tobias Smollett, Samuel Johnson and William Shenstone”

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