Quotes Library

April 27, 2025

A decent provision for the poor, is the true test of civilization.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), English poet, critic, lexicographer, in James Boswell, Life of Samuel Johnson (1791) 1770, Jay p.197

Do the poor inspire compassion, or are they just annoying? Shiftless scammers?

Johnson puts it well, and simply so.

October 20, 2025

4 months ago

Universal suffrage [i.e., votes for all adult men and women] is the government of a house by its nursery.

September 25, 2025

5 months ago

…that is the great fallacy; the wisdom of old men. They do not grow wise. They grow careful.

May 24, 2025

9 months ago

Alcohol is a very necessary article. It enables Parliament to do things at eleven at night

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