Skip links

Inspirational Quotations

by RightAttitudes.com

Inspirational Quotes by James Boswell (Scottish Biographer, Diarist)

Inspirational Quotations by James Boswell (Scottish Biographer, Diarist)

James Boswell (1740–95) was a Scottish author and a companion and biographer of the writer Samuel Johnson.

Boswell’s friendship with Johnson enabled him to write Life of Johnson (1791) in addition to Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides (1785.) The 20th-century re-publication of his journals proved him to be one of the world’s most celebrated diarists. As a result of its thorough portrayal of its subject as a complete person and not just as a catalog of events and achievements in his life, Life of Johnson is regarded the definitive precursor to modern biographies.

Boswell was not dedicated enough to become a successful lawyer, and never realized his wish of entering Parliament. His notable non-Johnsonian literary achievements include the novels The Cub at Newmarket (1762) and Dorando (1767,) and his travel memoirs Account of Corsica (1768.)

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by James Boswell

I have discovered that we may be in some degree whatever character we choose. Besides, practice forms a man to anything.
—James Boswell
Topics: Choice

We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over.
—James Boswell
Topics: Friends and Friendship, Friendship

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

I find I journalize too tediously. Let me try to abbreviate.
—James Boswell
Topics: Journalism

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

Wondering Whom to Read Next?