About James Boswell

James Boswell, 9th Laird of Auchinleck- 19 May 1795), was a Scottish biographer, diarist, and lawyer, born in Edinburgh. He is best known for his biography of the English writer Samuel Johnson, Life of Samuel Johnson, which is commonly said to be the greatest biography written in the English language.

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More quotes from James Boswell

There is nothing worth the wear of winning, but laughter and the love of friends.

James Boswell

British lawyer, diarist, and author (1740-1795)

He who has provoked the lash of wit, cannot complain that he smarts from it.

James Boswell

British lawyer, diarist, and author (1740-1795)

What an insignificant life is this which I am now leading!

James Boswell

British lawyer, diarist, and author (1740-1795)

I have discovered that we may be in some degree whatever character we choose. Besides, practice forms a man to anything.

James Boswell

British lawyer, diarist, and author (1740-1795)

I hate mankind, for I think myself one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am.

James Boswell

British lawyer, diarist, and author (1740-1795)

A good pun may be admitted among the smaller excellencies of lively conversation.

James Boswell

British lawyer, diarist, and author (1740-1795)

I have found you an argument; I am not obliged to find you an understanding.

James Boswell

British lawyer, diarist, and author (1740-1795)

I suppose no person ever enjoyed with more relish the infusion of this fragrant leaf than did Johnson.

James Boswell

British lawyer, diarist, and author (1740-1795)

If venereal delight and the power of propagating the species were permitted only to the virtuous, it would make the world very good.

James Boswell

British lawyer, diarist, and author (1740-1795)

It is not every man who can be exquisitely miserable, any more than exquisitely happy.

James Boswell

British lawyer, diarist, and author (1740-1795)

For my own part I think no innocent species of wit or pleasantry should be suppressed: and that a good pun may be admitted among the smaller excellencies of lively conversation.

James Boswell

British lawyer, diarist, and author (1740-1795)

A page of my journal is like a cake of portable soup. A little may be diffused into a considerable portion.

James Boswell

British lawyer, diarist, and author (1740-1795)

We must take our friends as they are.

James Boswell

British lawyer, diarist, and author (1740-1795)

A companion loves some agreeable qualities which a man may possess, but a friend loves the man himself.

James Boswell

British lawyer, diarist, and author (1740-1795)