Letter 41 (to Boswell, 7 December 1782)
Samuel Johnson
Johnson's reflection on poverty came at a time when financial stability was precarious for many, yet societal norms demanded appearances be maintained. Poverty, he argues, strips away freedom and moral agency, rendering certain virtues inaccessible. It was a personal observation as much as a philosophical stance, likely shaped by his own bouts with financial insecurity before achieving literary success. His counsel to spend less than one earns is a pragmatic strategy for maintaining liberty and integrity, where worth is often equated with wealth.