"If a madman were to come into this room with a stick in his hand, no doubt we should pity the state of his mind; but our primary consideration would be to take care of ourselves. We should knock him down first, and pity him afterwards."

6 likes

Source: In James Boswell 'The Life of Samuel Johnson' (1791) vol. 3, p. 11 (3 April 1776)

About the author

Samuel Johnson

Lexicographer, Essayist, Critic

Samuel Johnson was an 18th-century English writer and lexicographer, known for his influential work 'A Dictionary of the English Language' and his profound insights into human nature.

All quotes by Samuel Johnson →

Same author

More quotes by Samuel Johnson

See all →