Who said “Claret is the liquor for boys; port for men; but he who aspires to be a hero must drink…”?

Verified

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

SourceVol III, (7 April 1779)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Vol III, (7 April 1779).

APA

Johnson, S. (n.d.). Claret is the liquor for boys; port for men; but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/2241-claret-is-the-liquor-for-boys-port-for/

MLA

Johnson, Samuel. “Claret is the liquor for boys; port for men; but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/2241-claret-is-the-liquor-for-boys-port-for/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Johnson, Samuel. “Claret is the liquor for boys; port for men; but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/2241-claret-is-the-liquor-for-boys-port-for/.

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