Who said “If you are idle, be not solitary; if you are solitary, be not idle.”?

Verified

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

SourceLetter to James Boswell (27 October 1779) p. 433

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Letter to James Boswell (27 October 1779) p. 433.

APA

Johnson, S. (n.d.). If you are idle, be not solitary; if you are solitary, be not idle. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/38279-if-you-are-idle-be-not-solitary-if/

MLA

Johnson, Samuel. “If you are idle, be not solitary; if you are solitary, be not idle.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/38279-if-you-are-idle-be-not-solitary-if/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Johnson, Samuel. “If you are idle, be not solitary; if you are solitary, be not idle.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/38279-if-you-are-idle-be-not-solitary-if/.