1,688. Advertising
"Genius is shown only by invention. The
man who first took
advantage of the general curiosity that was excited by a siege or
battle, to betray the readers of news into the knowledge of the
shop where the best puffs and powders were to be sold, was
undoubtedly a man of great sagacity, and profound skill in the
nature of man. But when he had once shown the way, it was easy to
follow him; and every man now knows a ready method of informing
the publick of all that he desires to buy or sell, whether his
wares be material or intellectual; whether he makes clothes, or
teaches the mathematicks; whether he is a tutor that wants a
pupil, or a pupil that wants a tutor."
Johnson: Idler #40 (January 20, 1759)
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1,689. Advertising
"Whatever is common is despised. Advertisements are now so
numerous that they are very negligently perused, and it is
therefore become necessary to gain attention by magnificence of
promises, and by eloquence sometimes sublime and sometimes
pathetick."
Johnson: Idler #40 (January 20, 1759)
Link
1,690. Advertising
"Promise, large promise, is the soul of an advertisement."
Johnson: Idler #40 (January 20, 1759)
Link
1,691. Advertising
"Every man that advertises his own excellence should write with
some consciousness of a character which dares to call the
attention of the publick. He should remember that his name is to
stand in the same paper with those of the King of Prussia and the
Emperor of Germany, and endeavour to make himself worthy of the
association."
Johnson: Idler #40 (January 20, 1759)
Link
