Who said “Wickedness is always easier than virtue; for it takes the short cut to everything.”?

Verified

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

SourceThe Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides (1785), (17 September 1773)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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“Wickedness is always easier than virtue; for it takes the short cut to everything.”
— Samuel Johnson
VerifiedThe Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides (1785), (17 September 1773) · evidenceVirtue
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides (1785), (17 September 1773).

APA

Johnson, S. (n.d.). Wickedness is always easier than virtue; for it takes the short cut to everything. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/41456-wickedness-is-always-easier-than-virtue-for-it/

MLA

Johnson, Samuel. “Wickedness is always easier than virtue; for it takes the short cut to everything.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/41456-wickedness-is-always-easier-than-virtue-for-it/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Johnson, Samuel. “Wickedness is always easier than virtue; for it takes the short cut to everything.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/41456-wickedness-is-always-easier-than-virtue-for-it/.

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VerifiedLatin motto; recorded in James Wood, Dictionary of Quotations (1899), p. 522 · evidenceDetails & citeVirtue
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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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