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

The Vanity of Human Wishes (1749) and Two Rambler papers (1750) by Samuel Johnson is a compilation of insightful essays and a thought-provoking poem created during the height of the Enlightenment in the 1700s. These works explore fundamental truths about wanting things and the unhappiness it can bring, tackling big ideas like where our lives are headed, what's right and wrong, and the best way to behave in society. The poem puts a new spin on an old story to show how chasing dreams often leads to pain, using the stories of powerful people whose big ambitions caused them to crash. Paired with this is a collection of reflections on finding joy and living a good life, where Johnson pushes the idea that being honest with yourself and morally sound is key. Ultimately, the writings express Johnson's conviction that real happiness comes not from what we get in life but from being good and accepting what we're given.