the first endeavour of a writer
It ought to be the first endeavour of a writer to distinguish nature from custom; or that which is established because it is right, from that which is right only because it is established; that he may neither violate essential principles by a desire of novelty, nor debar himself from the attainment of beauties within his view, by a needless fear of breaking rules which no literary dictator had authority to enact.
Samuel Johnson
From the Samuel Johnson Soundbite page. A modern tribute to the 18th century sage.
He has several good quotes on criticism that ought to be shown on my Boeklog, I reckon.
[x]#1191 fan donderdag 21 april 2005 @ 15:28:28
