, Scotland; he is best known for the biography he wrote of one of his contemporaries, the English literary figure Samuel Johnson
.
Boswell's surname has passed into the English language
as a term (Boswell, Boswellian, Boswellism) for a constant companion and observer, especially one who records those observations in print.
Boswell is pleasant and gay, For frolic by nature designed; He heedlessly rattles away When company is to his mind.
'Sir,' said Mr Johnson, 'a lawyer has no business with the justice or injustice of the cause which he undertakes, unless his client asks his opinion, and then he is bound to give it honestly. The justice or injustice of the cause is to be decided by the judge.'
I fancy mankind may come, in time, to write all aphoristically.
The best good man, with the worst natur'd muse.
Influence must ever be in proportion to property; and it is right it should.
In every place, where there is any thing worthy of observation, there should be a short printed directory for strangers.
As all who come into the country must obey the King, so all who come into an university must be of the Church.
My lord and Dr Johnson disputed a little, whether the savage or the London shopkeeper had the best existence; his lordship, as usual, preferring the savage.
I regretted I was not the head of a clan; however, though not possessed of such an hereditary advantage, I would always endeavour to make my tenants follow me.
Such groundless fears will arise in the mind, before it has resumed its vigour after sleep!