Books Quote by Samuel Johnson
““I shall neither trouble the reader, nor myself, with any apology for publishing of these sermons; for if they be, in any measure, truly serviceable to the end for which they are designed, I do not see what apology is necessary; and if they be not so, I am sure none can be sufficient.Tillotson.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Idler, 1759
Johnson argues that if his sermons are useful, they need no apology; if not, no apology could help.
In simple terms: Useful work needs no excuse; useless work can't be excused.
Key Takeaway
Focus on usefulness, not justification.
Themes
utility
humility
writing
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- publishing
- public speaking
- self‑assessment
- defending work
Key Concepts
self‑efficacy
audience expectation
Questions to Reflect On
- Is your work truly useful?
- How do you handle criticism?
A Different Perspective
If the work fails, apology may still be needed for credibility.
