Familiar Quotations / A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced to / Their Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature

by Unknown

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

Life of Johnson (Boswell). Vol. ii. Chap. vi. 1763.

Sherry is dull, naturally dull; but it must have taken him a great deal of pains to become what we now see him. Such an access of stupidity, sir, is not in Nature.

Life of Johnson (Boswell). Vol. ii. Chap. ix.

Sir, a woman preaching is like a dog's walking on his hind legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all.

Life of Johnson (Boswell). Vol. ii. Chap. ix.

I look upon it, that he who does not mind his belly will hardly mind anything else.[371:1]

Life of Johnson (Boswell). Vol. ii. Chap. ix.

This was a good dinner enough, to be sure, but it was not a dinner to ask a man to.

Life of Johnson (Boswell). Vol. ii. Chap. ix.