Samuel Johnson Quotes about War

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You need a good editor because every writer thinks he can write a War and Peace, but by the time he gets it on paper, it's not War and Peace anymore; it's comic-book stuff. Your manuscript is both good and original. But

You need a good editor because every writer thinks he can write a War and Peace, but by the time he gets it on paper, it's not War and Peace anymore; it's comic-book stuff. 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

War, Book, Writing

Much may be made of a Scotchman, if he be caught young.

Samuel Johnson

War, May, Young

Quoted in James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791) (entry for Spring 1772)

The botanist looks upon the astronomer as a being unworthy of his regard; and he that is glowing great and happy by electrifying a bottle wonders how the world can be engaged by trifling prattle about war and peace.

Samuel Johnson

War, Glowing, Looks

As peace is the end of war, so to be idle is the ultimate purpose of the busy.

Samuel Johnson

Peace, War, Purpose

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

In a time of war the nation is always of one mind, eager to hear something good of themselves and ill of the enemy. At this time the task of the news-writer is easy; they have nothing to do but to tell that a battle is expected, and afterwards that a battle has been fought, in which we and our friends, whether conquering or conquered, did all, and our enemies did nothing.

Samuel Johnson

War, Mind, Enemy

Samuel Johnson (1968). “Essays from the Rambler, Adventurer, and Idler”, p.289, Yale University Press

Yet reason frowns in war's unequal game, Where wasted nations raise a single name; And mortgag'd states their grandsire's wreaths regret, From age to age in everlasting debt; Wreaths which at last the dear-bought right convey To rust on medals, or on stones decay.

Samuel Johnson

Regret, War, Hero

Samuel Johnson (1820). “The Poems of Dr. Samuel Johnson. To which is Prefixed, a Life of the Author”, p.36

The king who makes war on his enemies tenderly distresses his subjects most cruelly.

Samuel Johnson

Kings, War, Enemy

Among the calamities of war may be justly numbered the diminution of the love of truth by falsehoods which interest dictates and credulity encourages. A peace will equally leave the warrior and the relater of wars destitute of employment; and I know not whether more is to be dreaded from streets filled with soldiers accustomed to plunder, or from garrets filled with scribblers accustomed to lie.

Samuel Johnson

War, Lying, Soldier

The Idler no. 30 (11 Nov. 1758)