So today I was reading The Vanity of Human Wishes by Samuel Johnson. I thought parts of it were very applicable to an Objectivist's view of the modern world. Johnson calls on Democritus to come and ridicule modern (late 18th century) England, as he laughed at Greece in about 400 B.C. Johnson says that if Democritus thinks Ancient Greece is bad, he should see the corruption in 18th century England. Here are some memorable quotes:
"How rarely reason guides the stubborn choice,
Rules the bold hand, or prompts the suppliant voice."
About Democritus's Greece:
"Where change of favorites made no change of laws,
And senates heard before they judged a cause."
Poor Johnson, and us, to live in a time when this did happen! More about the corruption of his time:
"Through Freedom's sons no more remonstrance rings,
Degrading nobles and controlling kings;
Our supple tribes repress their patriot throats,
And ask no questions but the price of votes."
Johnson's answer to the corruption and vice is not my answer. Johnson, as fond of reason as he was, wanted people to turn to God, who "with . . . celestial wisdom calms the mind, /And makes the happiness she does not find." I want people to find reason, without God behind it, and use that to work our way out from under oppressive government. Johnson wrote my answer right in his poem:
"Deign on the passing world to turn thine eyes,
And pause awhile from letters, to be wise."
" . . . Reason guide thee with her brightest ray,
And pour on misty Doubt resistless day."
It made me feel better to know that Dr. Johnson was on my side. He saw corruption and decay, and he hated it, just as I do. And he was doing his best, way back then in the Enlightenment, to promote reason, just as I do.
