Amusement Quote by Samuel Johnson
“There is a certain race of men that either imagine it their duty, or make it their amusement, to hinder the reception of every work of learning or genius, who stand as sentinels in the avenues of fame, and value themselves upon giving Ignorance and Envy the first notice of a prey.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Idler", 1759
The quote condemns those who deliberately block knowledge and celebrate ignorance for personal amusement or perceived duty.
In simple terms: Some people enjoy stopping learning and praising ignorance.
Key Takeaway
Beware of gatekeepers of knowledge.
Themes
ignorance
envy
intellectual sabotage
social duty
Mood
critical
defiant
Type
social
political
When to use this quote
- academic settings
- media criticism
- political discourse
- online comment sections
Key Concepts
censorship
elitism
egoism
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivates people to suppress ideas?
- How can societies protect learning?
A Different Perspective
Not all opposition is malicious; some stems from fear of change.
