Authority Quote by Samuel Johnson
“When I first collected these authorities, I was desirous that every quotation should be useful to some other end than the illustration of a word; I therefore extracted from philosophers principles of science; from historians remarkable facts; from chymists complete processes; from divines striking exhortations; and from poets beautiful descriptions.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Preface to The Rambler, 1750
Collecting knowledge from diverse fields creates a rich resource for practical use beyond mere illustration.
In simple terms: Gather varied wisdom for usefulness.
Key Takeaway
Seek interdisciplinary insights for real‑world problems.
Themes
knowledge
interdisciplinary
utility
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- education curriculum
- research projects
- creative writing
Key Concepts
philosophy
history
science
poetry
practicality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you prioritize useful knowledge?
- What fields can you combine for better solutions?
A Different Perspective
Over‑collection can dilute focus.
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)