Desire Quote by Samuel Johnson
“I look upon this as I did upon the Dictionary: it is all work, and my inducement to it is not love or desire of fame, but the want of money, which is the only motive to writing that I know of.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Idler, No. 1, 1759
The author sees writing as labor driven solely by financial need, not passion or ambition.
In simple terms: Writing is work motivated by money, not love or fame.
Key Takeaway
Recognize true motivations behind your work.
Themes
motivation
work
money
writing
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
explanatory
critical
When to use this quote
- freelance writing
- academic publishing
- content creation
- journalism
Key Concepts
economic incentive
creative labor
artistic integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives your creative work?
- Can money and love coexist in your craft?
A Different Perspective
Passion can also sustain creativity despite financial pressures.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
