Who said “It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes cheated than not…”?

Verified

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

SourceNo. 79 (18 December 1750)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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“It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes cheated than not to trust.”
VerifiedNo. 79 (18 December 1750) · evidenceWrong
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: No. 79 (18 December 1750).

APA

Johnson, S. (n.d.). It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes cheated than not to trust. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/43022-it-is-better-to-suffer-wrong-than-to/

MLA

Johnson, Samuel. “It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes cheated than not to trust.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/43022-it-is-better-to-suffer-wrong-than-to/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Johnson, Samuel. “It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes cheated than not to trust.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/43022-it-is-better-to-suffer-wrong-than-to/.