--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Composition is for the most part an…" description: "\"Composition is for the most part an effort of slow diligence and steady perseverance, to which the mind is dragged by necessity or resolution, and from..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94c/samuel-johnson-50_amusement_composition-is-for-the-most-part-an-effo_2557953.png" --- # Composition is for the most part an effort of slow… ![“Composition is for the most part an effort of slow diligence and steady perseverance, to which the mind is dragged by necessity or resolution, and from which the attention is every moment starting to more delightful amusements.” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94c/samuel-johnson-50_amusement_composition-is-for-the-most-part-an-effo_2557953.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94c/samuel-johnson-50_amusement_composition-is-for-the-most-part-an-effo_2557953.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94c/samuel-johnson-50_amusement_composition-is-for-the-most-part-an-effo_2557953.png) > “Composition is for the most part an effort of slow diligence and steady perseverance, to which the mind is dragged by necessity or resolution, and from which the attention is every moment starting to more delightful amusements.” [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing demands patient, steady effort, driven by necessity or resolve, and eventually becomes a source of delight as attention turns to enjoyable pursuits. **In simple terms:** Writing needs patience and perseverance. Key Takeaway Cultivate disciplined, joyful practice. Themes creativity discipline perseverance Mood thoughtful encouraging Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - academic writing - artistic projects - skill development Key Concepts habit formation focus intrinsic motivation Questions to Reflect On - What habits sustain your creative focus? - How does discipline transform work into pleasure? A Different Perspective Progress can be slow and frustrating. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amusement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusement/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Composition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/composition/) [Composition Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/composition-effort-1581039/) [Delightful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delightful/) [Diligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diligence/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Effort Slow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort-slow-1581040/) [Every moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-moment/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Perseverance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perseverance/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Resolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolution/) [Slow Diligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slow-diligence-1581041/) [Starting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starting/) [Steady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steady/) [Steady Perseverance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steady-perseverance-1581042/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [To write is, indeed, no unpleasing employment, when one sentiment readily produces another, and both ideas and expressions present themselves at the first summons;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/to-write-is-indeed-no-unpleasing-employment-when-one-sentiment/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [No one expects to attain to the height of learning, or arts, or power, or wealth, or military glory, without vigorous resolution, strenuous diligence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/no-one-expects-to-attain-to-the-height-of-learning-or-arts-or-power/) [William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/) > [Some quit when not satisfied with the result of their effort. & slow progress.But they must realize that whatever is gained in slow progress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kumar-sinha/some-quit-when-not-satisfied-with-the-result-of-their-effort-slow/) [Dr Anil Kumar Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kumar-sinha/) > [Composition is a process of combination, in which thought puts together complementary truths, and talent fuses into harmony the most contrary qualities of style.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/composition-is-a-process-of-combination-in-which-thought-puts/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [Steady perseverance is taking small steps to get to your achievement and toward which effort is directed. As long as you make movement toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemmy-nola/steady-perseverance-is-taking-small-steps-to-get-to-your-achievement/) [Kemmy Nola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemmy-nola/) > [To expect that the intricacies of science will be pierced by a careless glance, or the eminences of fame ascended without labour, is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/to-expect-that-the-intricacies-of-science-will-be-pierced-by-a/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“What we hope ever to do with ease, we must first learn to do with diligence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/what-we-hope-ever-to-do-with-ease-we-must-first-learn-to-do-with/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The imitator treads a beaten walk, and with all his diligence can only find a few flowers or branches untouched by his predecessor, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-imitator-treads-a-beaten-walk-and-with-all-his-diligence-can-only/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/few-things-are-impossible-to-diligence-and-skill-great-works-are/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Diligence in employments of less consequence is the most successful introduction to greater enterprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/diligence-in-employments-of-less-consequence-is-the-most-successful/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Many leave the labours of half their life to their executors and to chance, because they will not send them abroad unfinished, and are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/many-leave-the-labours-of-half-their-life-to-their-executors-and-to/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Idleness is often covered by turbulence and hurry. He that neglects his known duty and real employment naturally endeavours to crowd his mind with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/idleness-is-often-covered-by-turbulence-and-hurry-he-that-neglects/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [As he that lives longest lives but a little while, every man may be certain that he has no time to waste. The duties…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/as-he-that-lives-longest-lives-but-a-little-while-every-man-may-be/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [It is good sense applied with diligence to what was at first a mere accident, and which by great application grew to be called,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-good-sense-applied-with-diligence-to-what-was-at-first-a-mere/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Applause abates diligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/applause-abates-diligence/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## More by Samuel Johnson > [The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-size-of-a-man-s-understanding-might-always-be-justly-measured-by/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Pound St. Paul's Church into atoms, and consider any single atom; it is to be sure, good for nothing; but put all these atoms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/pound-st-paul-s-church-into-atoms-and-consider-any-single-atom-it-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [You can never be wise unless you love reading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/you-can-never-be-wise-unless-you-love-reading/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [If our aim is to praise, we should forget to criticize; if our aim is to criticize, we should remember to praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/if-our-aim-is-to-praise-we-should-forget-to-criticize-if-our-aim-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [All theory is against free will; all experience is for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/all-theory-is-against-free-will-all-experience-is-for-it/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Had I learned to fiddle, I should have done nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/had-i-learned-to-fiddle-i-should-have-done-nothing-else/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [It is as foolish to make experiments upon the constancy of a friend, as upon the chastity of a wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-as-foolish-to-make-experiments-upon-the-constancy-of-a-friend/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/resolve-not-to-be-poor-whatever-you-have-spend-less-poverty-is-a/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-basis-of-all-excellence-is-truth-he-that-professes-love-ought-to/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Words are daughters of earth but ideas are sons of heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/words-are-daughters-of-earth-but-ideas-are-sons-of-heaven/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“The composition of Shakespeare is a forest, in which oaks extend in the air, interspersed sometimes with weeds and brambles, and sometimes giving shelting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-composition-of-shakespeare-is-a-forest-in-which-oaks-extend-in/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“The cherubim were never intended as an object of worship, because they were only the appendices to another thing. But a thing is then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-cherubim-were-never-intended-as-an-object-of-worship-because-they/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Nobody has the right to put another under such a difficulty that he must either hurt the person by telling the truth or hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/nobody-has-the-right-to-put-another-under-such-a-difficulty-that-he/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [That kind of life is most happy which affords us most opportunities of gaining our own self-esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/that-kind-of-life-is-most-happy-which-affords-us-most-opportunities/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [The time will come to every human being when it must be known how well he can bear to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-time-will-come-to-every-human-being-when-it-must-be-known-how/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) [Explore all 1,998 Samuel Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## More Amusement quotes > [Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions… Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/cultivate-the-habit-of-thinking-ahead-and-of-anticipating-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Ancient eyes had stared at me, filled with ancient grief. And something more. Something so alien and unexpected that I'd almost burst into tears.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/ancient-eyes-had-stared-at-me-filled-with-ancient-grief-and-something/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [Every producer in Hollywood had set me down as a type. I was both amused and disappointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bela-lugosi/every-producer-in-hollywood-had-set-me-down-as-a-type-i-was-both/) [Bela Lugosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bela-lugosi/) > [By amusing myself with all these games, all this nonsense, all these picture puzzles, I became famous... I am only a public entertainer who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/by-amusing-myself-with-all-these-games-all-this-nonsense-all-these/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [I just started writing for my own amusement and occasionally singing in little clubs around Los Angeles. Then I wrote 'The Rose,' and through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-mcbroom/i-just-started-writing-for-my-own-amusement-and-occasionally-singing/) [Amanda McBroom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-mcbroom/) > [Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/happiness-does-not-consist-in-pastimes-and-amusements-but-in-virtuous/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-mass-of-men-lead-lives-of-quiet-desperation-what-is-called/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Ordinary people simply don't know what books mean to us, shut up here. Reading, learning, and the radio are our amusements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/ordinary-people-simply-don-t-know-what-books-mean-to-us-shut-up-here/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [My first job was at an amusement park in Virginia. It was the worst. I loved the park but once I'd worked there all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-mcbride/my-first-job-was-at-an-amusement-park-in-virginia-it-was-the-worst-i/) [Danny McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-mcbride/) > [The Stoics say, "Retire within yourselves; it is there you will find your rest." And that is not true. Others say, "Go out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/the-stoics-say-retire-within-yourselves-it-is-there-you-will-find/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [I realized, "Gee, you're making the same film over and over here." I just kept making them for my own amusement, but also with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jarmusch/i-realized-gee-you-re-making-the-same-film-over-and-over-here-i-just/) [Jim Jarmusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jarmusch/) > [I like these boots," I told Vayl. "Do you think they'd sell them to me cheap? I keep ruining mine." "Since when do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rardin/i-like-these-boots-i-told-vayl-do-you-think-they-d-sell-them-to-me/) [Jennifer Rardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-rardin/) > [It has to be now,” he insisted, a flick of amusement in his voice. He nudged his burgeoning loins against her. “After all, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/it-has-to-be-now-he-insisted-a-flick-of-amusement-in-his-voice-he/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [Act as if the universe is a prodigious miracle created for your amusement and illumination. Assume that secret helpers are working behind the scenes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-brezsny/act-as-if-the-universe-is-a-prodigious-miracle-created-for-your/) [Rob Brezsny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-brezsny/) > [Amusement that is excessive and followed only for its own sake, allures and deceives us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/amusement-that-is-excessive-and-followed-only-for-its-own-sake/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) [Browse all 567 Amusement quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusement/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Composition is for the most part an effort of slow diligence and steady perseverance, to which the mind is dragged by necessity or resolution, and from which the attention is every moment starting to more delightful amusements.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Samuel Johnson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/composition-is-for-the-most-part-an-effort-of-slow-diligence-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Amusement" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/composition-is-for-the-most-part-an-effort-of-slow-diligence-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94c/samuel-johnson-50_amusement_composition-is-for-the-most-part-an-effo_2557953.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94c/samuel-johnson-50_amusement_composition-is-for-the-most-part-an-effo_2557953.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94c/samuel-johnson-50_amusement_composition-is-for-the-most-part-an-effo_2557953.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Composition is for the most part an effort of slow diligence and steady perseverance, to which the mind is…” — Samuel Johnson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Samuel Johnson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Composition is for the most part...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/composition-is-for-the-most-part-an-effort-of-slow-diligence-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/composition-is-for-the-most-part-an-effort-of-slow-diligence-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```