No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a jail; for being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned... a man in a jail has more room, better food, and commonly better company.

This quote by Samuel Johnson, "No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a jail; for being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned... a man in a jail has more room, better food, and commonly better company," uses sharp wit and exaggeration to critique the harsh conditions of naval life during the 18th century. Johnson humorously suggests that anyone clever enough to avoid becoming a sailor by choosing prison instead might be making the wiser choice. To him, life aboard a ship was not only confining, but also perilous and unpleasant—like jail, only worse because of the ever-present risk of drowning.

This statement reflects the often brutal reality of life at sea in Johnson’s time. Long voyages, cramped quarters, poor rations, and exposure to storms and disease made sailor life extremely difficult, especially for those in the lower ranks. By comparing it unfavorably even to prison, Johnson underscores how dreadful he considered maritime service to be. His dry humor also pokes at the idea that choice and agency—even the ability to "contrive" one's way into jail—might offer a more dignified experience than involuntary or desperate enlistment into naval labor.

Samuel Johnson, an English writer, moralist, and lexicographer, was well-known for his sarcastic intellect and keen observations of society. He lived during a time when naval conscription (sometimes forced) was common, and when Britain was expanding its empire through maritime dominance. Though Johnson never served as a sailor himself, his quote likely reflects what he observed or heard about the deprivations and indignities of seafaring life.

Ultimately, the quote is a brilliant piece of social commentary cloaked in humor. It challenges the romanticism of maritime adventure by presenting a brutally honest view of the sailor’s world. Johnson's words remind us that freedom, comfort, and companionship—even behind bars—might be more desirable than the illusion of liberty aboard a ship, where danger and hardship were everyday companions.