Who said “Is not a patron, my lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in…”?

Verified

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

SourceLetter to Lord Chesterfield (7 February 1754)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Authors A–Z
“Is not a patron, my lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and, when he has reached ground, encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labors, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it.”
— Samuel Johnson
VerifiedLetter to Lord Chesterfield (7 February 1754) · evidencePatronage
Report

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Letter to Lord Chesterfield (7 February 1754).

APA

Johnson, S. (n.d.). Is not a patron, my lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and, when he has reached ground, encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labors, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/16151-is-not-a-patron-my-lord-one-who/

MLA

Johnson, Samuel. “Is not a patron, my lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and, when he has reached ground, encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labors, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/16151-is-not-a-patron-my-lord-one-who/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Johnson, Samuel. “Is not a patron, my lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and, when he has reached ground, encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labors, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/16151-is-not-a-patron-my-lord-one-who/.

Related quotes

“I would rather have as my patron a host of anonymous citizens digging into their own pockets for the price of a book or a magazine than a small body of enlightened and responsible men administering public funds. I would rather chance my personal vision of truth striking home here and there in the chaos of publication that exists than attempt to filter it through a few sets of official, honorably public-spirited scruples.”
— John Updike
VerifiedTestimony given before the Subcommittee on Select Education of the House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor, Boston (January 30, 1978) · evidenceDetails & citePatronage
Report
“If a patron buys from an artist who needs money (needs money to buy tools, time, food), the patron then makes himself equal to the artist; he is building art into the world; he creates.”
— Ezra Pound
Patronage
Report
“If it were not for the intellectual snobs who pay -- in solid cash -- the tribute which philistinism owes to culture, the arts would perish with their starving practitioners. Let us thank heaven for hypocrisy.”
— Aldous Huxley
Patronage
Report

More quotes by Samuel Johnson

“He who praises everybody, praises nobody.”
VerifiedJohnson's Works (1787), vol. XI, p. 216; This set included the Life of Samuel Johnson by Sir John Hawkins · evidenceDetails & citePraise
Report
All 341 Samuel Johnson quotes →