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Writing Quotes - Page 406

In lapidary inscriptions a man is not upon oath.

In lapidary inscriptions a man is not upon oath.

In James Boswell 'The Life of Samuel Johnson' (1791) vol. 2, p. 407 (1775)

Nobody can write the life of a man but those who have eat and drunk and lived in social intercourse with him.

In James Boswell 'The Life of Samuel Johnson' (1791) vol. 2, p. 166 (31 March 1772)

He who writes much will not easily escape a manner, such a recurrence of particular modes as may be easily noted.

Samuel Johnson (1810). “The Works of the English Poets, from Chaucer to Cowper”, p.459

Those who will not take the trouble to think for themselves, have always somebody that thinks for them; and the difficulty in writing is to please those from whom others learn to be pleased.

Samuel Johnson, Elizabeth Carter, Samuel Richardson, Catherine Talbot (1825). “The Rambler: A Periodical Paper, Published in 1750, 1751, 1752”

Authors and lovers always suffer some infatuation, from which only absence can set them free.

Samuel Johnson, Arthur Murphy (1837). “The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL. D.: With an Essay on His Life and Genius /c by Arthur Murphy, Esq”, p.258

There are some works which the authors must consign unpublished to posterity, however uncertain be the event, however hopeless be the trust. He that writes the history of his own times, if he adhere steadily to truth, will write that which his own times will not easily endure. He must be content to reposite his book till all private passions shall cease, and love and hatred give way to curiosity.

Alexander Pope, William Lisle Bowles, Samuel Johnson, Alexander Chalmers, Gilbert Wakefield (1806). “The Works of Alexander Pope, Esq. in Verse and Prose: Containing the Principal Notes of Drs. Warburton and Warton: Illustrations, and Critical and Explanatory Remarks, by Johnson, Wakefield, A. Chalmers ... and Others; to which are Added, Now First Published, Some Original Letters, with Additional Observations, and Memoirs of the Life of the Author”, p.261

The chief glory of every people arises from its authors.

James Boswell, Samuel Johnson (1786). “Boswell's Life of Johnson: Including Boswell's Journal of a Tour of the Hebrides, and Johnson's Diary of A Journey Into North Wales”, p.156

Abuse is often of service. There is nothing so dangerous to an author as silence.

Samuel Johnson (1840). “The Life and Writings of Samuel Johnson...”, p.51

A man will turn over half a library to make one book.

Quoted in James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791) (entry for 6 Apr. 1775)

They say the test of literary power is whether a man can write an inscription. I say, "Can he name a kitten?"

"The Note-Books of Samuel Butler (Part VII: On the Making of Music, Pictures, and Books)". Book edited by Henry Festing Jones, 1917.

I think without writing I would feel completely useless.

"Sam Shepard opens up". Interview with Carole Cadwalladr, www.theguardian.com. March 20, 2010.