Who said “A man ought to read just as inclination leads him; for what he reads as a task will do…”?

Verified

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

SourceVol I, (14 July 1763) p. 121

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Vol I, (14 July 1763) p. 121.

APA

Johnson, S. (n.d.). A man ought to read just as inclination leads him; for what he reads as a task will do him little good. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/2490-a-man-ought-to-read-just-as-inclination/

MLA

Johnson, Samuel. “A man ought to read just as inclination leads him; for what he reads as a task will do him little good.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/2490-a-man-ought-to-read-just-as-inclination/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Johnson, Samuel. “A man ought to read just as inclination leads him; for what he reads as a task will do him little good.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/2490-a-man-ought-to-read-just-as-inclination/.