Who said “The drama's laws, the drama's patrons give, for we that live to please, must please to…”?

Verified

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

SourcePrologue at the Opening of Drury Lane Theatre (1747)

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“The drama's laws, the drama's patrons give, for we that live to please, must please to live.”
— Samuel Johnson
VerifiedPrologue at the Opening of Drury Lane Theatre (1747) · evidenceTheater

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Prologue at the Opening of Drury Lane Theatre (1747).

APA

Johnson, S. (n.d.). The drama's laws, the drama's patrons give, for we that live to please, must please to live. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/39539-the-dramas-laws-the-dramas-patrons-give-for/

MLA

Johnson, Samuel. “The drama's laws, the drama's patrons give, for we that live to please, must please to live.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/39539-the-dramas-laws-the-dramas-patrons-give-for/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Johnson, Samuel. “The drama's laws, the drama's patrons give, for we that live to please, must please to live.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/39539-the-dramas-laws-the-dramas-patrons-give-for/.

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