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.

January 24, 2025

1 year ago

Victory has a hundred fathers, but defeat is an orphan.

November 28, 2025

3 months ago

Education makes a people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; easy to govern but impossible to enslave.

March 27, 2025

11 months ago

[On David Steel, Leader of the Liberal Party] He’s passed from rising hope to elder statesman without any intervening period whatsoever.

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