Quotations from the writings of

Between falsehood and useless truth there us little difference. As gold which he cannot spend will make no man rich, so knowledge which he cannot apply will male no man wise.

Idler #84

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The end of writing is to instruct; the end of poetry is to instruct by pleasing.

Preface to the Plays of William Shakespeare

Men seldom give pleasure, where they are not pleased themselves.

He that has abilities to conceive perfection, will not easily be content without it.

Genius, whatever it is, is like fire in the flint, only to be produced by collision with a proper subject.

Rambler #25

A blighted spring makes a barren year.

Rambler #5

Long intervals of pleasure dissipate attention, and weaken constancy; nor is it easy for him that has sunk from diligence into sloth to rouse of of his lethargy, to recollect his notions, rekindle his curiosity, and engage with his former ardour in the toils of study.

Rambler #111

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Johnson on Painting

This is a fascinating glimpse of his views on the inherent limitations of paintings:

The action must be circumstantial and distinct. There is a passage in the Iliad which cannot be read without strong emotions. A Trojan prince seized by Achilles in the battle, falls at his feet, and in moving terms supplicates for his life. "How can a wretch like thee," says the haughty Greek, "entreat to live, when thou knowest that the time must come when Achilles is to die?" This cannot be painted, because no peculiarity of attitude or disposition can so supply the place of language as to impress the sentiment.

Idler #45 (February 24, 1759)

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For the complete text of Johnson's classic essay on the evils of procrastination, click here.