Whoever wishes to attain an English style, familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not ostentatious, must give his days and nights to the volumes of Addison.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- To achieve a refined yet natural writing style, one must study the works of Addison extensively.
- In plain terms
- Study Addison's writing constantly to learn how to write elegantly without showing off.
- What can you take from it?
- Mastering style requires dedicated practice with excellent models.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Which writers do you study most?
- Is formal training necessary for style?
Another view
Not everyone needs or wants an English style based on 18th century models.
More from Samuel Johnson
New things are made familiar, and familiar things are made new.
Permalink to quote #95 He delighted to tread upon the brink of meaning.
Permalink to quote #97 Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.
Permalink to quote #94
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