Samuel Johnson Influence Quotations

When the original is well chosen and judiciously copied, the imitator often arrives at excellence which he could never have attained without direction; for few are formed with abilities to discover new possibilities of excellence, and to distinguish themselves by means never tried before.

Most minds are the slaves of external circumstances, and conform to any hand that undertakes to mould them.

Love has no great influences upon the sum of life.

Nothing is difficult, when gain and honour unite their influence.

No, Sir, you will have much more influence by giving or lending money where it is wanted, than by hospitality.

Those who are in the power of evil habits must conquer them as they can; and conquered they must be, or neither wisdom nor happiness can be attained: but those who are not yet subject to their influence may, by timely caution, preserve their freedom;

It is a maxim that no man was ever enslaved by influence while he was fit to be free.

None but a fool worries about things he cannot influence.

The arguments for purity of life fail of their due influence, not because they have been considered and confuted, but because they have been passed over without consideration.