Samuel Johnson Quotes about Purpose

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A writer who obtains his full purpose loses himself in his own lustre.

A writer who obtains his full purpose loses himself in his own lustre.

Samuel Johnson

Writing, Purpose, Loses

Samuel Johnson (1851). “The beauties of Johnson: choice selections from his works”, p.6

Life, to be worthy of a rational being, must be always in progression; we must always purpose to do more or better than in time past.

Samuel Johnson

Past, Purpose, Progression

Samuel Johnson (1788). “Letters to and from the Late Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: To which are Added Some Poems Never Before Printed”, p.334

Life is surely given us for higher purposes than to gather what our ancestors have wisely thrown away, and to learn what is of no value but because it has been forgotten.

Samuel Johnson

Purpose, Life Is, Forgotten

Samuel Johnson (1977). “Selected Poetry and Prose”, p.201, Univ of California Press

These papers of the day have uses more adequate to the purposes of common life than more pompous and durable volumes.

Samuel Johnson

Purpose, Use, Paper

Samuel Johnson (1761). “The Rambler: In Four Volumes”, p.215

In proportion as our cares are employed upon the future, they are abstracted from the present, from the only time which we can call our own, and of which, if we neglect the apparent duties to make provision against visionary attacks, we shall certainly counteract our own purpose.

Samuel Johnson

Purpose, Visionaries, Care

Samuel Johnson, Arthur Murphy (1825). “The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: With Murphy's Essay”, p.142