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About this quote

What does it mean?
Text written without effort usually brings little pleasure to the reader.
In plain terms
If writing takes no work, reading it is not enjoyable.
What can you take from it?
Put effort into writing to value reading.

Where it applies

  • writing practice
  • editing
  • consumption of media

Putting it to work

  • revise thoroughly
  • edit before publishing

Questions to consider

  • Why does effort improve quality?
  • How much editing is enough?

Another view

Sometimes simple writing is best.

More from Samuel Johnson

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