Who said “Language is the dress of thought.”?

Verified

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

SourceLives of the English Poets (1779–81)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Lives of the English Poets (1779–81).

APA

Johnson, S. (n.d.). Language is the dress of thought. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25324-language-is-the-dress-of-thought/

MLA

Johnson, Samuel. “Language is the dress of thought.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25324-language-is-the-dress-of-thought/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Johnson, Samuel. “Language is the dress of thought.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/25324-language-is-the-dress-of-thought/.