Dr Johnson:his Life & Times

Quotations from the Speech and Writings of Doctor Samuel Johnson

(in approximate chronological order)

‘We are a nest of singing birds.’

c. 1730

(spoken of his college at Oxford, Pembroke, referring to the large

number of poets who were members)

‘It is incident to physicians, I am afraid, beyond all other men, to mistake subsequence for consequence.’

c. 1734

‘I’ll come no more behind your scenes, David; for the silk stockings and white bosoms of your actresses excite my amorous propensities.’

c. 1750 (it was reported elsewhere that ‘amorous propensities’ was an ‘improvement’ by Boswell

and that Johnson actually said ‘genitals’).

‘Is not a patron, my Lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and, when he has reached ground, encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labours, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known and do not want it.’

c. 1754. Lord Chesterfield had agreed to be the aristocratic patron of Dr. Johnson’s dictionary project, and gave him 10 pounds, but did more or less nothing further to assist. When the work was published, Chesterfield sought to associate himself with it, and aroused Johnson’s anger.

‘This man I thought had been a Lord among wits; but, I find, he is only a wit among Lords.’

c. 1754 (see above)