The Vanity of Human Wishes by Samuel Johnson
About
the Poem
- Published: 1749
- Form:
Juvenalian Satire written in heroic couplets (rhymed iambic
pentameter)
- Based on: Juvenal’s
Tenth Satire (a Roman satire)
- Full
Title: The Vanity of Human Wishes: The Tenth Satire
of Juvenal Imitated
- Genre: Moral and
philosophical poem
🧠 Central Idea /
Theme
The poem is a
deep reflection on the futility of human desires.
Samuel Johnson argues that all human wishes are vain, because they are
often guided by pride, greed, ambition, and ignorance of what is truly good.
He suggests that only faith in God and acceptance of divine will can
bring peace and happiness.
🩵 Summary (in
Simple Words)
Lines
1–10: Introduction
Johnson begins
by addressing humanity’s endless desires and ambitions.
He observes that people chase wealth, power, beauty, and knowledge — but all
these bring disappointment and sorrow.
Main idea: Human life is
driven by false hopes and doomed wishes.
Lines
11–58: The Vanity of Power
He describes
men who wish for power and high status.
Kings and statesmen, despite their authority, face betrayal, war, and
downfall.
Examples include:
- Charles
XII of Sweden, whose ambition led to his ruin.
- Other political figures who
lose everything due to pride.
Lesson: Power invites
danger and destruction.
Lines
59–100: The Vanity of Wealth
Johnson talks
about men who long for riches and believe that money will bring
happiness.
However, wealth only brings envy, theft, and anxiety.
The rich are never content, always fearing loss.
Lesson: Riches bring
fear and no peace.
Lines
101–160: The Vanity of Learning
He reflects on
the scholars and intellectuals who seek knowledge for fame or pride.
Even the wisest people, like Thomas Aquinas or Newton, face mental
stress, envy, and eventual death.
Knowledge cannot save man from weakness or fate.
Lesson: Learning gives
no guarantee of happiness or moral superiority.
Lines
161–210: The Vanity of Beauty and Youth
People who
desire beauty, youth, or long life also face disappointment.
Beauty fades, youth passes, and long life often brings loneliness and pain.
Lesson: Physical
pleasures and appearances are temporary.
Lines
211–260: The Vanity of Military Glory
Johnson warns
that military heroes who chase glory end up destroyed by war or
forgotten by history.
He uses examples like Charles XII again to show that even brave men fall
victims to fate.
Lesson: Glory in war
is fleeting and fatal.
Lines
261–368: Christian Conclusion
Johnson
concludes that all human wishes are vain unless they are guided by reason
and faith.
Man should submit to God’s will, live modestly, and seek spiritual
rather than worldly joy.
Final Message: Happiness lies
in virtue, contentment, and trust in God.
💬 Important
Themes
|
Theme |
Explanation |
|
Futility of
Human Desires |
Every human
pursuit—wealth, fame, power—ends in disappointment. |
|
Moral
Corruption |
Greed and
ambition lead to moral downfall. |
|
Religious
Faith |
True peace is
found only through faith and virtue. |
|
Transience of
Life |
Everything—beauty,
youth, fame—is temporary. |
|
Human Folly |
Humans repeat
the same mistakes, ignoring the lessons of history. |
🪶 Style and
Language
- Form: Heroic
couplets (two rhymed lines in iambic pentameter)
- Tone: Serious,
moral, reflective, and satirical
- Diction: Elevated
and formal
- Imagery: Uses
vivid images of historical figures, battles, courts, and scholars
- Devices:
- Allusion (to
history and religion)
- Irony (to show
contrast between desire and result)
- Personification (Hope,
Fortune, etc.)
✍️ Famous Lines and Meanings
|
Line |
Meaning |
|
“Let
observation, with extensive view, / Survey mankind from China to Peru” |
Observe all
humanity across the world; all suffer from vain desires. |
|
“Where then
shall hope and fear their objects find?” |
What is left
for humans to desire or fear when everything is uncertain? |
|
“Enlarge my
life with multitude of days!” |
The wish for
long life leads to more suffering, not joy. |
|
“Still raise
for good the supplicating voice, / But leave to Heaven the measure and the
choice.” |
Pray for good
things, but trust God to decide what’s best. |
📜 Moral /
Message
Samuel Johnson
reminds us that:
“Happiness does
not come from worldly success, but from moral integrity and faith in God.”
💡 Character
& Reference List
|
Reference |
Description |
|
Juvenal |
Roman
satirist whose work inspired Johnson’s poem |
|
Charles XII |
King of
Sweden; symbolizes vain ambition |
|
Wolsey |
English
cardinal whose rise and fall reflect the vanity of power |
|
Bacon |
Scholar whose
ambition led to disgrace |
|
Seneca |
Philosopher
who failed to live by his own principles |
|
Socrates |
Represents
wisdom, yet still humanly limited |
🩵 TEXT AND
PARAPHRASE
Lines
1–10: Introduction
Text:
Let
observation, with extensive view,
Survey mankind from China to Peru;
Remark each anxious toil, each eager strife,
And watch the busy scenes of crowded life;
Then say how hope and fear, desire and hate,
O’erspread with snares the clouded maze of fate,
Where wavering man, betrayed by venturous pride,
To chase the phantom happiness, still is tied;
And while he scorns his destiny to obey,
He follows blind desire through life’s weary way.
Paraphrase:
Let us look carefully at the whole human world—from China to Peru—and see how
people everywhere are full of anxiety and struggle. Their lives are filled with
hopes, fears, desires, and hatreds. They walk blindly into traps set by fate.
Though men try to resist destiny, they keep chasing false happiness and wander
unhappily all their lives.
Lines
11–58: The Vanity of Power
Text
(selected):
In
full-blown dignity, see Wolsey stand,
Law in his voice, and fortune in his hand:
To him the church, the realm, their powers consign,
Through him the rays of regal bounty shine;
Yet see him fall, from all his honours hurled,
For ever banished from his flattering world.
Paraphrase:
Cardinal Wolsey, once the most powerful man in England, seemed to control both
church and state. Everyone bowed to his authority. But soon, he was thrown down
from greatness—disgraced and forgotten. His story shows that power and fame are
temporary and lead to downfall.
Lines
59–100: The Vanity of Wealth
Text
(selected):
Should
no disease attack, no danger fright,
The purest treasure, mortal times afford,
Is spotless reputation, and a peaceful mind.
But wealth is gained with toil, and lost with care,
To win the poor man’s envy or the rich man’s fear.
Paraphrase:
Even if a rich man is safe from sickness or danger, he cannot enjoy real peace.
True treasure is a clean reputation and a peaceful heart. But wealth is hard to
earn and even harder to keep—it brings jealousy from the poor and fear from the
rich.
Lines
101–160: The Vanity of Learning
Text
(selected):
Yet hope
not life from grief or danger free,
Nor think the doom of man reversed for thee;
Deign on the passing world to turn thine eyes,
And pause a while from learning to be wise.
Paraphrase:
The scholar, though wise, cannot escape grief or danger. Even great learning
cannot protect man from death or fate. Wisdom is not the same as knowledge—many
learned men still make foolish choices or live miserably.
Lines
161–210: The Vanity of Beauty and Youth
Text
(selected):
The
fair, the young, the gay, the proud, the vain,
Who seek in beauty’s charms a lasting reign;
Die of a rose in aromatic pain.
Paraphrase:
Beautiful and youthful people, proud of their looks, hope that beauty will rule
the world. But beauty fades quickly—like a flower that dies while giving off
fragrance. The desire for physical beauty and attraction ends in pain and loss.
Lines
211–260: The Vanity of Military Glory
Text
(selected):
On what
foundation stands the warrior’s pride,
How just his hopes, let Swedish Charles decide;
A frame of adamant, a soul of fire,
No dangers fright him, and no labours tire;
War sounds the trump, he rushes to the field,
And fame and fortune wait upon his shield.
Yet, see him fall, by fortune’s wild decree,
Reduced to want, to penury, and to pain,
Captive, and scorned, and dying on the plain.
Paraphrase:
Look at Charles XII of Sweden, a brave and fiery warrior. He was strong,
fearless, and ambitious. War and fame called to him, and he followed—but
finally, fortune betrayed him. He was left poor, defeated, and humiliated. His
glory ended in misery.
Lines
261–318: The Vanity of Long Life
Text
(selected):
Enlarge
my life with multitude of days,
In health, in sickness, thus the suppliant prays;
Yet time still presses on, and death pursues,
Nor youth, nor age, his appetite subdues.
Paraphrase:
People pray to live long lives, but the more we live, the more we suffer. Time
never stops; death always follows. Youth fades, age weakens the body, and long
life often brings loneliness and sorrow.
Lines
319–368: Conclusion — Faith in God
Text
(selected):
Still
raise for good the supplicating voice,
But leave to Heaven the measure and the choice;
Safe in His power, whose eyes discern afar
The secret ambush of a specious prayer.
Imploring Heaven to bless our righteous toils,
Let us be humble, and resign our wills.
Paraphrase:
We should continue to pray for good things, but we must let God decide what is
best for us. Only God can see the hidden dangers behind our desires. True
wisdom lies in humility, obedience, and trust in divine will. Peace and
happiness come only from faith, not from worldly ambition.
🌟 Complete
Paraphrase Summary
|
Section |
Main Idea |
Paraphrase Summary |
|
1. Introduction (1–10) |
Human
desires are universal but lead to confusion and sorrow. |
All
people, everywhere, are trapped by their desires and suffer disappointment. |
|
2. Power (11–58) |
Power
and politics end in downfall. |
Great
leaders like Wolsey fall from glory; power is dangerous. |
|
3. Wealth (59–100) |
Riches
cannot buy peace. |
Money
brings anxiety, envy, and fear instead of happiness. |
|
4. Learning (101–160) |
Knowledge
doesn’t guarantee peace or virtue. |
Scholars
still suffer pain and pride despite their wisdom. |
|
5. Beauty & Youth (161–210) |
Physical
beauty fades quickly. |
Those
who depend on appearance face heartbreak and decay. |
|
6. Military Glory (211–260) |
Fame
in war is temporary. |
Warriors
like Charles XII die forgotten and miserable. |
|
7. Long Life (261–318) |
Long
life often increases sorrow. |
Old
age brings weakness and loss, not joy. |
|
8. Conclusion (319–368) |
True
happiness lies in faith. |
Trust
in God’s wisdom and accept His will—only then can man find peace. |
🕊️ Final
Message (Moral)
Samuel
Johnson teaches that every human wish—whether for power, wealth,
beauty, or knowledge—is vain and empty.
Real peace comes only through humility, faith in God, and moral virtue.
🧭 I. Short
Answer Questions
1.
Who wrote “The Vanity of Human Wishes”?
Answer:
Samuel Johnson wrote The Vanity of Human Wishes in 1749. It is a moral
and philosophical poem written in heroic couplets.
2.
On what is the poem based?
Answer:
It is based on Juvenal’s Tenth Satire, a Latin satire about the foolish
desires of mankind. Johnson adapted it into an English moral poem.
3.
What is the main theme of the poem?
Answer:
The poem shows the futility of human desires—wealth, power, beauty, or
knowledge—all end in disappointment. True happiness lies only in faith and
submission to God’s will.
4.
What poetic form does Johnson use?
Answer:
He uses heroic couplets—pairs of rhymed lines in iambic pentameter.
5.
What does the title “The Vanity of Human Wishes” mean?
Answer:
The title means that human wishes and ambitions are vain (useless)
because they lead to suffering rather than satisfaction.
6.
Who was Cardinal Wolsey and why is he mentioned?
Answer:
Cardinal Wolsey was a powerful English statesman who rose to great power
but was later disgraced. Johnson uses him to show how power and ambition
lead to downfall.
7.
What lesson does Johnson draw from the life of Charles XII of Sweden?
Answer:
Charles XII was a brave but over-ambitious warrior. His tragic fall shows that military
glory is short-lived and dangerous.
8.
What, according to Johnson, is the true source of peace?
Answer:
Faith in God, humility, and moral virtue are the only sources of lasting
peace and happiness.
9.
What does Johnson say about wealth?
Answer:
Wealth cannot bring happiness. It brings envy, anxiety, and fear of loss.
10.
What is the tone of the poem?
Answer:
The tone is serious, reflective, moral, and religious.
🕊️ II. Long
Answer Questions
1.
Discuss the central theme of “The Vanity of Human Wishes.”
Answer:
The poem examines the futility of all human desires. People wish for
wealth, power, beauty, fame, and long life, believing these will make them
happy. But every wish leads to disappointment or destruction.
Johnson illustrates this through historical figures like Wolsey (power),
Charles XII (glory), and scholars (learning).
He concludes that human happiness cannot be achieved through worldly success
but only through faith in God’s wisdom and acceptance of divine will.
Thus, the poem becomes a moral sermon reminding man of his limitations and
dependence on God.
2.
How does Johnson use examples from history to illustrate human vanity?
Answer:
Johnson uses real examples to show the downfall of great men:
- Cardinal
Wolsey — ruined by ambition for political power.
- Charles
XII of Sweden — destroyed by his thirst for military glory.
- Scholars
and philosophers — whose wisdom cannot save them from
misery.
Each example proves that human greatness is temporary. Johnson’s use of history gives weight and universality to his moral message.
3.
How does Johnson treat the vanity of learning and knowledge?
Answer:
Johnson observes that even the learned are not free from human weakness.
Scholars and philosophers often become proud and unhappy.
Though they seek truth, they cannot escape grief, envy, or death. Johnson warns
that intellectual pride can be as dangerous as political or physical
ambition. Knowledge without humility leads to spiritual emptiness.
4.
Explain the Christian philosophy in the poem.
Answer:
The poem ends with a Christian moral: man should not depend on worldly
success but on God’s mercy. Johnson advises:
“Still raise
for good the supplicating voice,
But leave to Heaven the measure and the choice.”
He means that we should pray for good things but trust God to decide what is
best. True peace comes from faith, humility, and virtue.
5.
Describe the structure and style of the poem.
Answer:
The poem is written in heroic couplets, each pair forming a complete
thought.
The style is elevated, formal, and rhythmic, using classical allusions
and moral reflection.
Johnson’s diction is grand but clear, and his tone is didactic (teaching).
He combines satire and sermon, showing man’s foolishness while
guiding him toward virtue.
6.
What moral lessons does “The Vanity of Human Wishes” teach?
Answer:
- Human desires are vain and lead
to sorrow.
- Wealth and power bring danger,
not peace.
- Knowledge and fame fade with
time.
- Beauty and youth are
short-lived.
- Only faith, humility, and moral
goodness give happiness.
The poem
teaches contentment and acceptance of divine will as the ultimate wisdom.
💬 III.
Multiple-Choice / Objective Questions
|
Question |
Options |
Answer |
|
1. “The
Vanity of Human Wishes” was published in — |
(A) 1749 (B)
1755 (C) 1765 (D) 1770 |
(A) 1749 |
|
2. The poem
imitates which Roman satirist? |
(A) Horace
(B) Juvenal (C) Virgil (D) Ovid |
(B) Juvenal |
|
3. The poem
is written in — |
(A) Blank
verse (B) Spenserian stanza (C) Heroic couplets (D) Free verse |
(C) Heroic
couplets |
|
4. “Let
observation, with extensive view” — appears in which part? |
(A)
Introduction (B) Conclusion |
(A)
Introduction |
|
5. Who
symbolizes the vanity of political power? |
(A) Charles
XII (B) Wolsey (C) Newton |
(B) Wolsey |
|
6. What
symbolizes the vanity of military glory? |
(A) Charles
XII |
(A) |
|
7. What
symbolizes the vanity of knowledge? |
(A) Scholars
and philosophers |
Correct |
|
8. According
to Johnson, true happiness lies in — |
(A) Power (B)
Wealth (C) Faith in God |
(C) Faith in
God |
🎓 IV. Essay-Type
Question
Write
a critical appreciation of “The Vanity of Human Wishes.”
Answer:
Samuel Johnson’s The Vanity of Human Wishes is a masterpiece of moral
and philosophical poetry. Written in 1749, it adapts Juvenal’s Latin satire to
an English Christian context.
Johnson explores man’s endless desires—for wealth, power, knowledge, and
beauty—and shows how each ends in failure or misery. He supports his ideas with
vivid examples from history, making his argument universal and convincing.
The poem’s tone is solemn and reflective. Its couplets are tightly constructed
and musical, typical of Johnson’s mastery of classical style.
Above all, the poem conveys a timeless message: human life is short and
uncertain; true peace lies only in humility, virtue, and trust in God.
It remains one of the finest moral poems in English literature.
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