Beauty Quote by Samuel Johnson
“Exactness is first obtained, and afterwards elegance. But diction, merely vocal, is always in its childhood. As no man leaves his eloquence behind him, the new generations have all to learn. There may possibly be books without a polished language, but there can be no polished language without books.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Importance of Language, 1755
He argues that refined language depends on books, and books rely on polished language.
In simple terms: Books and language shape each other.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate both reading and writing.
Themes
education
literature
communication
Mood
reflective
instructive
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- teaching writing
- publishing
- library curation
Key Concepts
language development
literary criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does reading improve expression?
- What role do editors play?
A Different Perspective
Access to books varies globally.
