Who said “People do not deserve to have good writing, they are so pleased with bad.”?

Verified

Ralph Waldo Emerson. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceJournals (1822–1863), 1841

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For academic work, cite the original where you can: Journals (1822–1863), 1841.

APA

Emerson, R. W. (n.d.). People do not deserve to have good writing, they are so pleased with bad. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/26931-people-do-not-deserve-to-have-good-writing/

MLA

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “People do not deserve to have good writing, they are so pleased with bad.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/26931-people-do-not-deserve-to-have-good-writing/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “People do not deserve to have good writing, they are so pleased with bad.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/26931-people-do-not-deserve-to-have-good-writing/.

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