--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The purpose of a writer is to be read…" description: "\"The purpose of a writer is to be read, and the criticism which would destroy the power of pleasing must be blown aside\" — Samuel Johnson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23a/samuel-johnson-50_books_the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-be-read-an_170865.png" --- # The purpose of a writer is to be read, and the criticism… ![“The purpose of a writer is to be read, and the criticism which would destroy the power of pleasing must be blown aside” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23a/samuel-johnson-50_books_the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-be-read-an_170865.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23a/samuel-johnson-50_books_the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-be-read-an_170865.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23a/samuel-johnson-50_books_the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-be-read-an_170865.png) > “The purpose of a writer is to be read, and the criticism which would destroy the power of pleasing must be blown aside” [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. A writer’s goal is to reach readers; criticism that hinders pleasure must be ignored. **In simple terms:** Writers write to be read; ignore harsh criticism. Key Takeaway Focus on connecting with readers. Themes writing purpose audience Mood thoughtful determined Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - publishing - blogging - academic writing - creative storytelling Key Concepts literature communication self‑expression Questions to Reflect On - What feedback truly improves your work? - How do you stay true to your voice? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on criticism can stifle growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism/) [Criticism Destroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism-destroy-1849213/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Purpose Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-writer-1708090/) [Read Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read-criticism-1849214/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Writer Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer-read-628508/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Those who do not read criticism will rarely merit to be criticised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-d-israeli/those-who-do-not-read-criticism-will-rarely-merit-to-be-criticised/) [Isaac D'Israeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-d-israeli/) > [It's much worse to read criticism about your son than yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-h-w-bush/it-s-much-worse-to-read-criticism-about-your-son-than-yourself/) [George H. W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-h-w-bush/) > [Critics can be your most important friend. I don't read criticism of my stuff only because when it's bad, it's rough-and when it's good,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-bacon/critics-can-be-your-most-important-friend-i-don-t-read-criticism-of/) [Kevin Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-bacon/) > [There's always loose points that people bring up, which is great, and I think that's why you read criticism is because you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-russo/there-s-always-loose-points-that-people-bring-up-which-is-great-and-i/) [Joe Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-russo/) > [I personally read criticism - at least by writers I enjoy - to stimulate a conversation in my own mind, and I like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-brantley/i-personally-read-criticism-at-least-by-writers-i-enjoy-to-stimulate/) [Ben Brantley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-brantley/) > [People say you should read your criticism because it will make you a better person but it doesn't. It just makes you a sad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-brand/people-say-you-should-read-your-criticism-because-it-will-make-you-a/) [Jo Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-brand/) > [The wicked will run to the iron bridge, but it will collapse under their weight. The righteous will cross the paper bridge, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dara-horn/the-wicked-will-run-to-the-iron-bridge-but-it-will-collapse-under/) [Dara Horn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dara-horn/) > [“The purpose of a writer is to keep civilisation from destroying itself." (Interview, New York Post Magazine , September 14, 1958)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-malamud/the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-keep-civilisation-from-destroying/) [Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) > [“The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.” ― Albert Camus”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-keep-civilization-from-destroying/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [I think the purpose of the writer is to help us see. The writer is someone who can perhaps have the joy of helping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eduardo-galeano/i-think-the-purpose-of-the-writer-is-to-help-us-see-the-writer-is/) [Eduardo Galeano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eduardo-galeano/) > [“A Word If one adds a word to a blank sheet of paper but leaves it on its own it means nothing. If it’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kemp/a-word-if-one-adds-a-word-to-a-blank-sheet-of-paper-but-leaves-it-on/) [Daniel Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kemp/) > [The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-keep-civilization-from-destroying-itself/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [My purpose as a writer is to communicate in such a way as to challenge the thinking of readers and touch their hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/my-purpose-as-a-writer-is-to-communicate-in-such-a-way-as-to/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [“I started out hoping to remind people at some point in the novel that we should be loving and kind. But then the theme…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-hickman/i-started-out-hoping-to-remind-people-at-some-point-in-the-novel-that/) [Patricia Hickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-hickman/) > [“If one adds a word to a blank sheet of paper but it's left on its own it means nothing. If it’s joined by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kemp/if-one-adds-a-word-to-a-blank-sheet-of-paper-but-it-s-left-on-its-own/) [Daniel Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kemp/) ## 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 Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) [Christopher K. 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There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. 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And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) [Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The purpose of a writer is to be read, and the criticism which would destroy the power of pleasing must be blown aside", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Samuel Johnson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-be-read-and-the-criticism-which-would/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Books" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-be-read-and-the-criticism-which-would/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23a/samuel-johnson-50_books_the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-be-read-an_170865.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23a/samuel-johnson-50_books_the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-be-read-an_170865.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23a/samuel-johnson-50_books_the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-be-read-an_170865.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The purpose of a writer is to be read, and the criticism which would destroy the power of pleasing must be…” — 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": "The purpose of a writer is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-be-read-and-the-criticism-which-would/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-be-read-and-the-criticism-which-would/#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 } } ] } ```