Fors Clavigera (Volume 2 of 8) Letters to the workmen and labourers of Great Britain

"Fors Clavigera" by John Ruskin is a collection of letters directed towards the working class of Great Britain, written in the late 19th century. In this series, Ruskin addresses contemporary social, economic, and moral issues, advocating for a deeper understanding of merit and worth, linked to work and virtue. He critiques mainstream notions of rights and government, suggesting that true value is derived from what people inherently deserve through their actions. The opening of this volume begins with Ruskin extending New Year wishes to his readers while reflecting on the concept of deserving versus having rights. He emphasizes the importance of understanding one's worth, and suggests that people should focus on what they deserve rather than what they believe they are entitled to. Ruskin plans to explore the history of mankind through the lens of fate and justice, suggesting that actions should align with moral integrity. He intends to impart lessons from past events to illustrate how destiny rewards and punishes individuals based on their true nature and character. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Ruskin was an English polymath – a writer, lecturer, art historian, art critic, draughtsman and philanthropist of the Victorian era. He wrote on subjects as varied as art, architecture, political economy, education, museology, geology, botany, ornithology, literature, history, and myth.