Who said “When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.”?

Verified

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

SourceVol III, (19 September 1777) p. 351

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Authors A–Z
“When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.”
— Samuel Johnson
VerifiedVol III, (19 September 1777) p. 351 · evidenceFocus
Report

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Vol III, (19 September 1777) p. 351.

APA

Johnson, S. (n.d.). When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/18108-when-a-man-knows-he-is-to-be/

MLA

Johnson, Samuel. “When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/18108-when-a-man-knows-he-is-to-be/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Johnson, Samuel. “When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/18108-when-a-man-knows-he-is-to-be/.

Related quotes

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 →