People more frequently require to be reminded than informed.

The line appears in Samuel Johnson’s periodical essay series "The Rambler" (issue no. 2, dated March 24, 1750) in a discussion about why people resist new ideas and dismiss familiar truths. Johnson argues that novelty is opposed because many dislike being taught, while familiar ideas are rejected because people fail to reflect on them; therefore, they more often need reminders than new information.

The point is that moral and practical guidance usually isn’t lacking; what’s lacking is attention and follow-through. Repetition and timely reminders are often more effective than additional instruction.

What is new is opposed, because most are unwilling to be taught; and what is known is rejected, because it is not sufficiently considered, that men more frequently require to be reminded than informed.

People require more to be reminded than informed.

Mankind in general stand more in need of being reminded than instructed.

People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.