The Vanity of Human Wishes (1749) and Two Rambler papers (1750)

Name: The Vanity of Human Wishes (1749) and Two Rambler papers (1750)
Author: Samuel Johnson

By Samuel Johnson

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About This Book

A long moral poem adapts a classical satire to argue that worldly ambitions—wealth, fame, and power—lead to disappointment and moral ruin, urging humility, moderate desire, and dependence on virtue and providence. Two accompanying periodical essays expand the same moral enquiry in compact prose, offering aphoristic reflections on human vanities, reputation, fear, and conduct, alternating ironic satire with earnest consolation. Together the pieces combine learned allusion, rhetorical energy, and precise diction to present practical counsel and philosophical meditation on the limits of human striving and the sources of true contentment.

About the Author

Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was an influential English writer and lexicographer, best known for his comprehensive dictionary, "A Dictionary of the English Language," which laid the groundwork for modern lexicography. His literary contributions span various genres, including poetry, essays, and biography. Johnson's works often reflect his keen insight into human nature and society, as seen in his notable titles such as "A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland" and "Lives of the English Poets." He was a prominent figure in the literary circles of his time, engaging with contemporaries like James Boswell, whose biography of Johnson remains a classic. His legacy endures in the realms of literature and language.