And love Quote by Samuel Johnson
“There are some works which the authors must consign unpublished to posterity, however uncertain be the event, however hopeless be the trust. He that writes the history of his own times, if he adhere steadily to truth, will write that which his own times will not easily endure. He must be content to reposite his book till all private passions shall cease, and love and hatred give way to curiosity.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Idler, 1750
Authors may with works unpublished, trusting future generations will value truth over contemporary bias.
In simple terms: Unpublished works preserve truth for future readers.
Key Takeaway
Preserve truth despite current reception.
Themes
truth
legacy
patience
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- academic publishing
- archival decisions
- personal journals
Key Concepts
historical record
ethical duty
future relevance
Questions to Reflect On
- Should you publish now or wait for a better time?
- How does secrecy affect truth?
A Different Perspective
Future audiences may never read the work, limiting impact.
![“[A writer] must try to think clearly, to feel deeply, to write honestly. If he is fortunate he will make a living, but his work will never be anymore essentially clear and deep and honest than he himself is, and he will be judged finally not for how many copies his books have sold, but for what…” quote by Lawrence Clark Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c72/lawrence-clark-powell-27650_book_a-writer-must-try-to-think-clearly-to-fe_1486016.jpg)
