Who said “I hate mankind, for I think of myself as one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am.”?

Misattributed

Not Samuel Johnson. It's commonly credited to them, but the evidence shows it isn't theirs.

What the research foundListed as misattributed to Samuel Johnson; no source in their known works.

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“I hate mankind, for I think of myself as one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am.”
— Samuel Johnson
MisattributedListed as misattributed to Samuel Johnson; no source in their known works. · evidenceHumankind
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Cite this quote

APA

“I hate mankind, for I think of myself as one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am.” [Quotation attributed to Samuel Johnson]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22636-i-hate-mankind-for-i-think-of-myself/

MLA

“I hate mankind, for I think of myself as one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am.” Attributed to Samuel Johnson. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22636-i-hate-mankind-for-i-think-of-myself/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“I hate mankind, for I think of myself as one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am.” Attributed to Samuel Johnson. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22636-i-hate-mankind-for-i-think-of-myself/.

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“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
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