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Samuel Johnson's Essays

~ republished 260 years later

Samuel Johnson's Essays

Category Archives: The Rambler

No. 208. The Rambler’s reception. His design.

March 14, 1752

Time, which puts an end to all human pleasures and sorrows, has likewise concluded the labours of the Rambler.

No. 207. The folly of continuing too long upon the stage

March 10, 1752

Few moments are more pleasing than those in which the mind is concerting measures for a new undertaking.

No. 206. The art of living at the cost of others.

March 7, 1752

Nothing produces more singularity of manners and inconstancy of life, than the conflict of opposite vices in the same mind.

No. 205. The history of Seged concluded.

March 3, 1752

On the fourth morning Seged rose early, refreshed with sleep, vigorous with health, and eager with expectation.

No. 204. The history of ten days of Seged, emperour of Ethiopia.

February 29, 1752

Seged, lord of Ethiopia, to the inhabitants of the world: To the sons of Presumption, humility and fear; and to the daughters of Sorrow.

No. 203. The pleasures of life to be sought in prospects of futurity. Future fame uncertain.

February 25, 1752

Cum volet illa dies, quae nil nisi corporis hujus Jus habet, incerti spatium mihi finiat avi. OVID. Met. xv. 873. …

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No. 202. The different acceptations of poverty. Cynicks and Monks not poor.

February 22, 1752

Pros apanta deilos estin o penaes pragmata, Kai pantas autou kataphronein upolambanei O de metrios pratton periskegesteron Apanta t aniara, …

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No. 201. The importance of punctuality.

February 18, 1752

The chief praise to which a trader aspires is that of punctuality, or an exact and rigorous observance of commercial engagements.

No. 200. Asper’s complaint of the insolence of Prospero. Unpoliteness not always the effect of pride.

February 15, 1752

Such is the tenderness or infirmity of many minds, when any affliction oppresses them, they have immediate recourse to lamentation and complaint.

No. 199. The virtues of Rabbi Abraham’s magnet.

February 11, 1752

Decolor, obscurus, cilis. Non ille repexam Cæsariem Regum, nec Candida virginis ornat Colla, nec insigni splendet per cingula morsu: Sed …

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Samuel Johnson's Collected Essays




Samuel Johnson's Major Works, Oxford Classics



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Samuel Johnson, 1709-1784. Find Samuel Johnson's work and writings online.