Who said “Were it not for imagination, Sir, a man would be as happy in the arms of a chambermaid…”?

Verified

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

SourceVol III, (9 May 1778) p. 409

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Vol III, (9 May 1778) p. 409.

APA

Johnson, S. (n.d.). Were it not for imagination, Sir, a man would be as happy in the arms of a chambermaid as of a Duchess. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12761-were-it-not-for-imagination-sir-a-man/

MLA

Johnson, Samuel. “Were it not for imagination, Sir, a man would be as happy in the arms of a chambermaid as of a Duchess.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12761-were-it-not-for-imagination-sir-a-man/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Johnson, Samuel. “Were it not for imagination, Sir, a man would be as happy in the arms of a chambermaid as of a Duchess.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12761-were-it-not-for-imagination-sir-a-man/.