Being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned

Being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned

Samuel Johnson, the renowned English writer and lexicographer, once famously remarked that being in a ship is like being in a jail, with the added risk of being drowned. This statement reflects Johnson's deep-seated fear and apprehension towards the idea of sailing and being at sea.

Johnson's aversion to ships and the sea can be traced back to his own personal experiences and beliefs. Born in 1709 in Lichfield, England, Johnson grew up in a landlocked region far from the coast. His limited exposure to maritime life likely contributed to his unease with the idea of sailing. Additionally, Johnson was known to be a cautious and risk-averse individual, preferring the safety and familiarity of dry land to the unpredictable and treacherous waters of the open sea.

Furthermore, Johnson's statement can also be interpreted as a metaphor for the constraints and limitations of life itself. Just as being in a ship confines one's movements and freedoms, so too does the human condition often feel restrictive and confining. Johnson may have been expressing a broader existential dread about the fragility and vulnerability of human existence, with the constant threat of danger and uncertainty looming over us at all times.