The Life of Samuel Johnson

“My master whipt me very well. Without that, Sir, I should have done nothing.”

Johnson recalls his schooling and the prominence of corporal punishment. Throughout the book Johnson defends corporal punishment of children as an incitement for them to work harder at their studies; he does so in particular when Boswell is engaged in defending a schoolteacher accused of mistreating his pupils.

“[…] this is the most sensible man that I ever saw in my life.”

Tetty, who will later become Johnson’s wife, says this to her daughter upon first meeting Johnson. She is able to look past his peculiar looks and mannerisms and see his extraordinary mind. Johnson, in turn, values Tetty for her judgment and understanding.

“Mr. Johnson, I do indeed come from Scotland, but I cannot help it.”

“That, Sir, I find, is what a very great many of your countrymen cannot help.”

Johnson and Boswell have this emblematic exchange when they first meet. It illustrates Johnson’s disdain for Scotland and frequent good-natured ribbing of the Scottish. Despite being Scottish, Boswell wins Johnson over—and eventually succeeds in getting Johnson to visit his native country. This was an era when many Scots were emigrating to England for various reasons, and Johnson’s quip implies that their country is so bad that they are obliged to forsake it for England.