I am so fond of tea that I could write a whole dissertation on its virtues. It comforts and enlivens without the risks attendant on spirituous liquors. Gentle herb! Let the florid grape yield to thee. Thy soft influence is a more safe inspirer of social joy.

— James Boswell

James Boswell Quotes

It is wonderful that five thousand years have now elapsed since the creation of the world, and still it is undecided whether or not there has ever been an instance of the spirit of any person appearing after death. All argument is against it; but all belief is for it.

— James Boswell

I am now to offer some thoughts upon that sameness or familiarity which we frequently find between passages in different authors without quotation. This may be one of three things either what is called Plagiarism, or Imitation, or Coincidence.

— James Boswell

One must be strict even in little things.

— James Boswell

In every place, where there is any thing worthy of observation, there should be a short printed directory for strangers.

— James Boswell

When we know exactly all a man’s views and how he comes to speak and act so and so, we lose any respect for him, though we may love and admire him.

— James Boswell

If a man is prodigal, he cannot be truly generous.

— James Boswell

As all who come into the country must obey the King, so all who come into an university must be of the Church.

— James Boswell

Many infidels have maintained that Ignorance is the mother of Devotion.

— James Boswell

The pleasure of gratifying whim is very great. It is known only by those who are whimsical.

— James Boswell

There is indeed a strange prejudice against Quotation.

— James Boswell

Quotation is more universal and more ancient than one would perhaps believe.

— James Boswell

No, Sir, claret is the liquor for boys; port for men: but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy. In the first place brandy will do soonest for a man what drinking can do for him.

— James Boswell

We often observe in lawyers, who as Quicquid agunt homines is the matter of law suits, are sometimes obliged to pick up a temporary knowledge of an art or science, of which they understood nothing till their brief was delivered, and appear to be much masters of it.

— James Boswell

All censure of a man’s self is oblique praise.

— James Boswell

Writing a book I have found to be like building a house. A man forms a plan, and collects materials.

— James Boswell

I think there is a blossom about me of something more distinguished than the generality of mankind.

— James Boswell

Melancholy cannot be clearly proved to others, so it is better to be silent about it.

— James Boswell

I argued that the chastity of women was of much more consequence than that of men, as the property and rights of families depend upon it.

— James Boswell

After I went to bed I had a curious fancy as to dreams. In sleep the doors of the mind are shut, and thoughts come jumping in at the windows. They tumble headlong, and therefore are so disorderly and strange. Sometimes they are stout and light on their feet, and then they are rational dreams.

— James Boswell

Drinking is in reality an occupation which employs a considerable portion of the time of many people; and to conduct it in the most rational and agreeable manner is one of the great arts of living.

— James Boswell
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