Who said “Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier, or not having been at…”?

Verified

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

SourceVol III, (10 April 1778)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Vol III, (10 April 1778).

APA

Johnson, S. (n.d.). Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier, or not having been at sea. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7142-every-man-thinks-meanly-of-himself-for-not/

MLA

Johnson, Samuel. “Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier, or not having been at sea.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7142-every-man-thinks-meanly-of-himself-for-not/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Johnson, Samuel. “Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier, or not having been at sea.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7142-every-man-thinks-meanly-of-himself-for-not/.