Who said “What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.”?

Disputed

It's credited to Samuel Johnson, but no reliable source from their lifetime has been found.

What the research foundNo reliable source from Samuel Johnson's lifetime: Credited to Johnson only long after his death; possibly an unidentified 1764 writer.

Evidence: Quote Investigator · Wikiquote · How we check

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“What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.”
— Samuel Johnson
DisputedNo reliable source from Samuel Johnson's lifetime: Credited to Johnson only long after his death; possibly an unidentified 1764 writer. · evidenceBooks and Reading
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Cite this quote

APA

“What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.” [Quotation attributed to Samuel Johnson]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/2492-what-is-written-without-effort-is-in-general/

MLA

“What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.” Attributed to Samuel Johnson. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/2492-what-is-written-without-effort-is-in-general/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.” Attributed to Samuel Johnson. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/2492-what-is-written-without-effort-is-in-general/.

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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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