The Life of Samuel Johnson

“[…] this is the most sensible man that I ever saw in my life.”

Tetty, who will later become Johnson’s wife, says this to her daughter upon first meeting Johnson. She is able to look past his peculiar looks and mannerisms and see his extraordinary mind. Johnson, in turn, values Tetty for her judgment and understanding.

“Mr. Johnson, I do indeed come from Scotland, but I cannot help it.”

“That, Sir, I find, is what a very great many of your countrymen cannot help.”

Johnson and Boswell have this emblematic exchange when they first meet. It illustrates Johnson’s disdain for Scotland and frequent good-natured ribbing of the Scottish. Despite being Scottish, Boswell wins Johnson over—and eventually succeeds in getting Johnson to visit his native country. This was an era when many Scots were emigrating to England for various reasons, and Johnson’s quip implies that their country is so bad that they are obliged to forsake it for England.

“For my part, Sir, I think all Christians, whether Papists or Protestants, agree in the essential articles, and that their differences are trivial, and rather political than religious.”

Johnson holds a generally tolerant and broadminded view of different religious convictions. Himself a High-Church Anglican, he has respect for Catholics, Methodists, and others, and tends to emphasize the commonalities of Christian belief rather than the differences.

“A man ought to read just as inclination leads him; for what he reads as a task will do him little good.”

Johnson expresses his educational philosophy of self-teaching, in which the learner samples from a wide variety of literature and thus attains a broad knowledge. The learner should also read for pleasure rather than merely to fulfill an assignment, as he will learn more willingly that way. Johnson himself followed this plan, especially while he was at home between his primary schooling and college.

“There are few people to whom I take so much as to you.”

Johnson speaks this declaration of friendship to Boswell not long after they meet. The quote demonstrates that Johnson’s liking for Boswell is genuine and that Boswell fulfills an important role in Johnson’s life. Their friendship will endure for 21 years, until Johnson’s death.

“What would you give, my lad, to know about the Argonauts?”

”Sir, I would give what I have.”

Johnson has this exchange with a young boy rowing a boat that he and Johnson are riding down the Thames. Johnson delights in the boy’s answer, which for him demonstrates that the thirst for knowledge is universal and that people are willing to make an effort to obtain it.

“I observed, that it was strange to think that the most indolent man in Britain had written the most laborious work, The English Dictionary.”

Johnson frequently insists that he is naturally lazy and not inclined to work. This is one of the faults for which he most reproaches himself in his journal and prayers. Yet the quote shows how Johnson is able to overcome this tendency to achieve something extraordinarily great.

“Sir, they may talk of the King as they will; but he is the finest gentleman I have ever seen.”

Johnson says this to his friends in the Literary Club after his surprise meeting with King George III in the royal library. The friends are amazed by this event, and some are slightly envious. Johnson is nonchalant about the affair and shows his accustomed reverence for the monarch.

“He has nothing of the bear but his skin.”

Goldsmith says this of Johnson, summing up what many people who know Johnson think about him: Despite his gruff exterior, he has a generous and affectionate heart. Boswell attempts to put the lie to common “prejudices” concerning Johnson’s character.

“I will venture to say, there is more learning and science within the circumference of ten miles from where we now sit, than in all the rest of the kingdom.”

This quote from Johnson expresses his esteem for London as a center of culture and intellectual brilliance. This is demonstrated by the remarkable collection of geniuses that form the Literary Club, headed by Johnson himself.

“Sir, we know our will is free, and there’s an end on it.”

Boswell and Johnson have entered into a theological discussion about free will versus predestination. Johnson strenuously defends the view that human beings have free will, despite God’s foreknowledge of all events. Johnson does not develop an elaborate argument but insists that one’s freedom of choice is something one intuits.

“Shakespeare never has six lines together without a fault.”

Johnson is a tough critic of literature, even when it comes to a revered figure like William Shakespeare. One of Johnson’s major literary productions is a multi-volume edition of Shakespeare’s works with extensive commentary. However, Johnson is also alive to what he considers Shakespeare’s faults, which may possibly have to do with the Bard’s non-adherence to classical poetic rules.

“There is no arguing with Johnson; for when his pistol misses fire, he knocks you down with the butt end of it.”

A line from a contemporary play which Goldsmith applies to Johnson. Johnson is well known for his aggressive and combative conversational style, and Goldsmith is sometimes the victim of Johnson’s rebuffs. The quote implies that Johnson’s tactics are not always honest and that he sometimes makes his points not through reason but through ad hominem.

“[…] a decent provision for the poor is the true test of civilization.”

There is a notable charitable side to Johnson’s character and personality. He takes in several people to his home, employs and educates the formerly enslaved Francis Barber, and gives or raises money for impoverished people. This generous side of Johnson, rooted in his Christian beliefs, contrasts with and tempers the gruff, intellectually combative side.

“I have seen many a bear led by a man: but I never before saw a man led by a bear.”

Boswell’s wife, Margaret, thus remarks of the relationship between Johnson (the bear) and her husband. Margaret dislikes Johnson at first, when he visits the couple in Scotland, and is suspicious of the influence he has over Boswell. Johnson eventually wins Margaret over.

“Sir, Hell is paved with good intentions.”

This now-proverbial phrase of Johnson’s expresses, according to Boswell, “the unhappy failure of pious resolves” (624). Johnson is cautioning against relying merely on good intentions to accomplish good things; one must have the correct plan of action and see one’s intentions through to the end. The idea predates Johnson, being found in a 1651 play (624, footnote).

“The question is, which is worst, one wild beast or many?”

In a political discussion with Johnson, Boswell contrasts the tyranny of a single ruler with the tyranny of a plurality of people, such as might arise in a democracy. Johnson and Boswell put contemporary political discussions about liberty and tyranny in a different light, pointing out that “popular factions” can be as oppressive as a bad king.

“No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”

Johnson frequently speaks in praise of London as a center of life and a place where the range of human characteristics and activities can be found. Both he and Boswell prefer London to the country, even though they spend some time in “rambles” through rural areas.

“I am willing to love all mankind, except an American.”

Johnson gives vent to his intense dislike of the American independence movement, and perhaps Americans in general. Johnson’s vehemence on this issue, which shocks his company, contrasts with other calmly and rationally considered statements. However, as often with Johnson, one is not sure to what extent this is a serious conviction and to what extent mere bluster and exaggeration.

“[…] the first Whig was the Devil.”

Johnson expresses his dim view of the Whig philosophy, which he considers to be no less than “a negation of all principle” (305). The Whigs were to a large extent the political liberals of the 18th century. Johnson thinks them merely opportunistic and lacking in any respect for legitimate authority.

“Sir, if I were to lose Boswell, it would be a limb amputated.”

Johnson states this late in his friendship with Boswell. It expresses Johnson’s dependence on Boswell, as well as suggests the mutual dependence that has grown up between the two men. Johnson depends on Boswell for his legacy and the recording his life and sayings. Boswell depends on Johnson for his literary fame.

“I am always angry when I hear ancient times praises at the expense of modern times.”

Johnson rejects the nostalgic notion that the past was absolutely better than the present. He details a number of aspects of life which have improved, including the diffusion of knowledge and learning. This opinion tempers and contrasts with Johnson’s general conservatism.

“My dear friend, clear your mind of can’t.”

This is a succinct statement of the importance Johnson places on good reasoning and disdain for “insincere or hypocritical statements, especially pious platitudes” (Merriam Webster’s definition of can’t). Speaking to Boswell, Johnson acknowledges that polite behavior requires people sometimes to use formulaic phrases that flatter other people, but one should not think that way.