--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My congratulations to you, sir. Your…" description: "\"“My congratulations to you, sir. Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22a/samuel-johnson-50_cynical_my-congratulations-to-you-sir-your-manus_992703.png" --- # My congratulations to you, sir. Your manuscript is both… ![“My congratulations to you, sir. Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good.” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22a/samuel-johnson-50_cynical_my-congratulations-to-you-sir-your-manus_992703.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22a/samuel-johnson-50_cynical_my-congratulations-to-you-sir-your-manus_992703.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22a/samuel-johnson-50_cynical_my-congratulations-to-you-sir-your-manus_992703.png) > ““My congratulations to you, sir. Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good. ”” [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. The reviewer praises the manuscript's quality but notes a paradox: originality lacks quality, and quality lacks originality. **In simple terms:** Good work isn’t always original; originality isn’t always good. Key Takeaway Balance novelty with craftsmanship. Themes literature critique originality Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type critical philosophical When to use this quote - book reviews - creative writing - academic publishing Key Concepts aesthetic value innovation Questions to Reflect On - What makes a work both good and original? - Can originality be taught? A Different Perspective Original ideas may need refinement to be effective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cynical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cynical/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Good Original](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-original-1431285/) [Humour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humour/) [Manuscript](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manuscript/) [Manuscript Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manuscript-good-1804670/) [Original Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/original-good-1333104/) [Review](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/review/) [Sir Manuscript](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sir-manuscript-2042484/) ## Related quotes > [Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/your-manuscript-is-both-good-and-original-but-the-part-that-is-good/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“Your work is both good and original but the part which is original is not good and the part which is good is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/your-work-is-both-good-and-original-but-the-part-which-is-original-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [After I work with my editor to get the manuscript in good shape, I sketch and lay out a whole book loosely, usually in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/after-i-work-with-my-editor-to-get-the-manuscript-in-good-shape-i/) [Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/) > [You need a good editor because every writer thinks he can write a War and Peace, but by the time he gets it on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/you-need-a-good-editor-because-every-writer-thinks-he-can-write-a-war/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [So far, I've never missed a deadline for a term paper, a review, a manuscript. I perform the mumbo-jumbo of voting with belief in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-t-vollmann/so-far-i-ve-never-missed-a-deadline-for-a-term-paper-a-review-a/) [William T. Vollmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-t-vollmann/) > [I remember going over proofs of this book - my first book - back in 2001, in a bar in Toronto called the 'Victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-heti/i-remember-going-over-proofs-of-this-book-my-first-book-back-in-2001/) [Sheila Heti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-heti/) > [If something works, you shouldn't do it again. We want to do something that is new, original - something where there's a good chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-catmull/if-something-works-you-shouldn-t-do-it-again-we-want-to-do-something/) [Edwin Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-catmull/) > [She's the original good time who was had by all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bette-davis/she-s-the-original-good-time-who-was-had-by-all/) [Bette Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bette-davis/) > [I wouldn't be creatively satisfied if all we did were sequels, but in the same breath, I'll say that I wouldn't be creatively satisfied…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-blum/i-wouldn-t-be-creatively-satisfied-if-all-we-did-were-sequels-but-in/) [Jason Blum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-blum/) > [There, standing at the piano, was the original good time who had been had by all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-tynan/there-standing-at-the-piano-was-the-original-good-time-who-had-been/) [Kenneth Tynan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-tynan/) > [It is better to be good than to be original,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/it-is-better-to-be-good-than-to-be-original/) [Ludwig Mies van der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/) > [I definitely want to be as good and original as I can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-acaster/i-definitely-want-to-be-as-good-and-original-as-i-can/) [James Acaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-acaster/) > [Not bringing anything new to the table is fine, as long as you're good at what you're not being original with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/not-bringing-anything-new-to-the-table-is-fine-as-long-as-you-re-good/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Really good original ideas are very hard to come up with. Good ideas - easy. Really good, original ideas - it can take months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/really-good-original-ideas-are-very-hard-to-come-up-with-good-ideas/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [I think that when I started Man Repeller, the Internet was still hungry for authentic content from girls that weren't actresses or supermodels and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leandra-medine/i-think-that-when-i-started-man-repeller-the-internet-was-still/) [Leandra Medine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leandra-medine/) ## 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 Cynical quotes > [Broken by hardships, disappointments and tragedy, people can become discouraged and cynical. But lives can also be mended. Put back together well, they won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-goodier/broken-by-hardships-disappointments-and-tragedy-people-can-become/) [Steve Goodier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-goodier/) > [“Writers whose thoughts are expressed with clarity and precision are assumed by readers to be superficial. Where the meaning is obscured, then readers give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/writers-whose-thoughts-are-expressed-with-clarity-and-precision-are/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [I would say most comedians have a very cynical worldview of the way the world can work. It's almost like if you didn't, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-quinn/i-would-say-most-comedians-have-a-very-cynical-worldview-of-the-way/) [Colin Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-quinn/) > [Sure, I’m dramatic and sloppily semi-cynical and semi-sentimental. But, in leisure years I could grow and choose my way. Now I am living on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-plath/sure-i-m-dramatic-and-sloppily-semi-cynical-and-semi-sentimental-but/) [Sylvia Plath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-plath/) > [We're so immaturely cynical as a culture. We're not wise enough to look at an institution like marriage and to really things about what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-peterson/we-re-so-immaturely-cynical-as-a-culture-we-re-not-wise-enough-to/) [Jordan Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-peterson/) > [I'm not cynical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/i-m-not-cynical/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [A well governed people are generally a people who do not think much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-siegfried/a-well-governed-people-are-generally-a-people-who-do-not-think-much/) [Andre Siegfried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-siegfried/) > [I love writers who are insightful enough to be cynical but choose not to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-d-mclaren/i-love-writers-who-are-insightful-enough-to-be-cynical-but-choose-not/) [Brian D. McLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-d-mclaren/) > [It is a very cynical, skeptical, foolish person that suggests Israel does not need a peace process to have a growing economy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-quest/it-is-a-very-cynical-skeptical-foolish-person-that-suggests-israel/) [Richard Quest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-quest/) > [Songwriters might write cynical, world-wise lyrics and constantly talk about money, but most of us are downright naive when it comes to business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-nelson/songwriters-might-write-cynical-world-wise-lyrics-and-constantly-talk/) [Willie Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-nelson/) > [No one more cynical than an idealist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanith-lee/no-one-more-cynical-than-an-idealist/) [Tanith Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanith-lee/) > [I've actually always wanted to write like a one-person show that was sort of a romantic comedy - a show that was kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-birbiglia/i-ve-actually-always-wanted-to-write-like-a-one-person-show-that-was/) [Mike Birbiglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-birbiglia/) > [“That's what I've never been able to get about religion: that charmless combination of altruism and insanity. Give me a cynical, self-interested bastard any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-carey/that-s-what-i-ve-never-been-able-to-get-about-religion-that-charmless/) [Mike Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-carey/) > [As the rain falls and the sun shines, they grow, grow, grow; minds so open, they go through life aware and accepting, seeing light…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/as-the-rain-falls-and-the-sun-shines-they-grow-grow-grow-minds-so/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [One of the weirdest things that happened to artists and art criticism was this moment when everyone got cynical and stopped believing in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kehinde-wiley/one-of-the-weirdest-things-that-happened-to-artists-and-art-criticism/) [Kehinde Wiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kehinde-wiley/) [Browse all 968 Cynical quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cynical/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“My congratulations to you, sir. Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good. ”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Samuel Johnson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/my-congratulations-to-you-sir-your-manuscript-is-both-good-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cynical" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/my-congratulations-to-you-sir-your-manuscript-is-both-good-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22a/samuel-johnson-50_cynical_my-congratulations-to-you-sir-your-manus_992703.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22a/samuel-johnson-50_cynical_my-congratulations-to-you-sir-your-manus_992703.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22a/samuel-johnson-50_cynical_my-congratulations-to-you-sir-your-manus_992703.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My congratulations to you, sir. Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not…” — 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": "“My congratulations to you, sir. Your...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/my-congratulations-to-you-sir-your-manuscript-is-both-good-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/my-congratulations-to-you-sir-your-manuscript-is-both-good-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 } } ] } ```