The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia · Chapter XLVIII
Samuel Johnson
In 1769, Samuel Johnson penned a tale of existential contemplation. His line about the insignificance of the manner of death reflects a society preoccupied with legacy and reputation. By contrast, Johnson emphasizes the importance of life's substance over its conclusion. It is a rejection of the era's fixation on grand endings, urging a focus on the virtues of daily living instead.