Great abilities are not requisite for an Historian; for in … - Samuel Johnson

" "
Great abilities are not requisite for an Historian; for in historical composition, all the greatest powers of the human mind are quiescent. He has facts ready to his hand; so there is no exercise of invention. Imagination is not required in any high degree; only about as much as is used in the lower kinds of poetry.

Samuel Johnson

Sources available for members. Sign up free to see where this quote comes from

English

Collect this quote

About Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson (18 September 1709 [7 September O.S.] – 13 December 1784) was a British author, linguist and lexicographer. He is often referred to as simply Dr. Johnson in the history of literature and is regarded as the greatest man of letters in English history.

Biography information from Wikiquote

Also Known As

Alternative Names: Dr Johnson • Dr. Johnson • Great Moralist

All quotes from Samuel Johnson Similar Quotes by other Originators

Originators like Samuel Johnson:

William Hazlitt Michel de Montaigne Jonathan Swift Joseph Addison Benjamin Franklin

Additional quotes by Samuel Johnson

Life admits not of delays; when pleasure can be had, it is fit to catch it. Every hour takes away part of the things that please us, and perhaps part of our disposition to be pleased.

ANKER (A'NKER) n.s.[ancker, Dut.] A liquid measure chiefly used at Amsterdam. It is the fourth part of the awm, and contains two stekans: each stekan consists of sixteen mengles; the mengle being equal

Shakespeare never has six lines together without a fault. Perhaps you may find seven, but this does not refute my general assertion.

Great abilities are not requisite for an Historian; for in historical composition, all the greatest powers of the human mind are quiescent. He has fa… - Samuel Johnson

About Samuel Johnson

Also Known As

Unlimited Quote Collections

Additional quotes by Samuel Johnson