dictionaries quotes

It is the fate of those who toil at the lower employments of life†to be exposed to censure, without hope of praise; to be disgraced by miscarriage or punished for neglect† Among these unhappy mortals isthe writer of dictionaries† Every other author mayaspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape reproach.

- Samuel known as Dr Johnson Johnson
  A Dictionary of the English Language, preface.

Dull. To make dictionaries is dull work.

- Samuel known as Dr Johnson Johnson
  A Dictionary of the English Language.

Lexicographer. Awriterofdictionaries, a harmless drudge.

- Samuel known as Dr Johnson Johnson
  A Dictionary of the English Language.

Dictionaries are like watches, the worst is better than none, and the best cannot be expected to go quite true.

- Samuel known as Dr Johnson Johnson
  Letter to Francesco Sastres, 21  Aug. Quoted in  James Boswell The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791), vol.4.