Who said “The future is purchased by the present.”?

Verified

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

SourceNo. 178 (30 November 1751)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: No. 178 (30 November 1751).

APA

Johnson, S. (n.d.). The future is purchased by the present. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/19389-the-future-is-purchased-by-the-present/

MLA

Johnson, Samuel. “The future is purchased by the present.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/19389-the-future-is-purchased-by-the-present/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Johnson, Samuel. “The future is purchased by the present.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/19389-the-future-is-purchased-by-the-present/.

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