The only end of writing is to enable readers better to enjoy life or better to endure it. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Women can spin very well, but they cannot write a good book of cookery. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I never desire to converse with a man who has written more than he has read. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The work of a correct and regular writer is a garden accurately formed and diligently planted, varied with shades, and scented with… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
“A man who writes a book, thinks himself wiser or wittier than the rest of mankind; he supposes that he can instruct… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
“It is strange that there should be so little reading in the world, and so much writing. People in general do not… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
[The poet] must write as the interpreter of nature and the legislator of mankind, and consider himself as presiding over the thoughts… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Too much nicety of detail disgusts the greatest part of readers, and to throw a multitude of particulars under general heads, and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
I advised Chambers, and would advise every young man beginning to compose, to do it as fast as he can, to get… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is indeed certain, that whoever attempts any common topick, will find unexpected coincidences of his thoughts with those of other writers;… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
New arts are long in the world before poets describe them; for they borrow everything from their predecessors, and commonly derive very… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is, however, not necessary, that a man should forbear to write, till he has discovered some truth unknown before; he may… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Few of those who fill the world with books, have any pretensions to the hope either of pleasing or instructing. They have… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Works of imagination excel by their allurement and delight; by their power of attracting and detaining the attention. That book is good… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
When a poet mentions the spring, we know that the zephyrs are about to whisper, that the groves are to recover their… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The faults of a writer of acknowledged excellence are more dangerous, because the influence of his example is more extensive; and the… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
In writing, as in life, faults are endured without disgust when they are associated with transcendent merit, and may be sometimes recommended… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The complaint, therefore, that all topicks are preoccupied, is nothing more than the murmur of ignorance or idleness, by which some discourage… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
He that writes may be considered as a kind of general challenger, whom every one has a right to attack; since he… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
In this work are exhibited, in a very high degree, the two most engaging powers of an author. New things are made… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It seems not more reasonable to leave the right of printing unrestrained, because writers may be afterwards censured, than it would be… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
One of the amusements of idleness is reading without the fatigue of close attention; and the world therefore swarms with writers whose… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There is nothing more dreadful to an author than neglect; compared with which reproach, hatred, and opposition are names of happiness; yet… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
As the faculty of writing has chiefly been a masculine endowment, the reproach of making the world miserable has always been thrown… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is advantageous to an author that his book should be attacked as well as praised. Fame is a shuttlecock. If it… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
While an author is yet living, we estimate his powers by his worst performance; and when he is dead, we rate him… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is the condition of our present state to see more than we can attain; the exactest vigilance and caution can never… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Composition is for the most part an effort of slow diligence and steady perseverance, to which the mind is dragged by necessity… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every man speaks and writes with intent to be understood; and it can seldom happen but he that understands himself might convey… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Genius now and then produces a lucky trifle. We still read the Dove of Anacreon, and Sparrow of Catullus; and a writer… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Whoever desires, for his writings or himself, what none can reasonably contemn, the favour of mankind, must add grace to strength, and… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Those who will not take the trouble to think for themselves, have always somebody that thinks for them; and the difficulty in… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
A Poet, Naturalist, and Historian, Who left scarcely any style of writing untouched, And touched nothing that he did not adorn. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
You may abuse a tragedy, though you cannot write one. You may scold a carpenter who has made you a bad table,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Many leave the labours of half their life to their executors and to chance, because they will not send them abroad unfinished,… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Every man is of importance to himself, and, therefore, in his own opinion, to others; and, supposing the world already acquainted with… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There is ... scarcely any species of writing of which we can tell what is its essence, and what are its constituents;… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The diversion of baiting an author has the sanction of all ages and nations, and is more lawful than the sport of… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The authors that in any nation last from age to age are very few, because there are very few that have any… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
There are certain topicks which are never exhausted. Of some images and sentiments the mind of man may be said to be… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Pound St. Paul's Church into atoms, and consider any single atom; it is to be sure, good for nothing; but put all these atoms… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
If our aim is to praise, we should forget to criticize; if our aim is to criticize, we should remember to praise — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
It is as foolish to make experiments upon the constancy of a friend, as upon the chastity of a wife. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its power. — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
“The composition of Shakespeare is a forest, in which oaks extend in the air, interspersed sometimes with weeds and brambles, and sometimes giving shelting… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
“The cherubim were never intended as an object of worship, because they were only the appendices to another thing. But a thing is then… — Samuel Johnson Copy Share Image
![“[The poet] must write as the interpreter of nature and the legislator of mankind, and consider himself as presiding over the thoughts and manners of future generations, as a being superior to time and place.” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/668/samuel-johnson-50_future-generation_the-poet-must-write-as-the-interpreter-o_3180253.jpg)
