Conjecture Quote by Samuel Johnson
“Conjecture as to things useful, is good; but conjecture as to what it would be useless to know, is very idle.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Rambler, No. 174, 1750
Speculating about useful matters is productive, but pondering useless knowledge wastes time.
In simple terms: Useful speculation is good; useless speculation is idle.
Key Takeaway
Focus on practical inquiry.
Themes
knowledge
productivity
efficiency
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- research planning
- decision making
- learning priorities
- resource allocation
Key Concepts
philosophy
pragmatism
Questions to Reflect On
- What knowledge do you chase that may be irrelevant?
- How do you distinguish useful from idle speculation?
A Different Perspective
Even useful speculation can become a distraction if not applied.
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