Who said “Every other author may aspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape…”?

Verified

Samuel Johnson. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceA Dictionary of the English Language (1755), Preface

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“Every other author may aspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape reproach, and even this negative recompense has been yet granted to very few.”
— Samuel Johnson
VerifiedA Dictionary of the English Language (1755), Preface · evidenceDictionaries

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: A Dictionary of the English Language (1755), Preface.

APA

Johnson, S. (n.d.). Every other author may aspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape reproach, and even this negative recompense has been yet granted to very few. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13481-every-other-author-may-aspire-to-praise-the/

MLA

Johnson, Samuel. “Every other author may aspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape reproach, and even this negative recompense has been yet granted to very few.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13481-every-other-author-may-aspire-to-praise-the/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Johnson, Samuel. “Every other author may aspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape reproach, and even this negative recompense has been yet granted to very few.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13481-every-other-author-may-aspire-to-praise-the/.

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