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The most skillful flattery is to let a person talk on, and be a listener.

Joseph Addison

A true critic ought to dwell rather upon excellencies than imperfections
JOSEPH ADDISON

Critic Excellence Imperfection Inspiration Ought True
There are many more shining qualities in the mind of man, but there is none so useful as discretion.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Discretion Man Mind Quality Shining Useful
Nature does nothing without purpose or uselessly.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Doe Nature Nothing Purpose Uselessly
I never knew an early-rising, hard-working, prudent man, careful of his earnings and strictly honest, who complained of hard luck.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Character Complaints Hard Honesty Luck Man Men Prudent Strictly Work
It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are the more gentle and quiet we become towards the defects of others.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Complain Excellence Imperfect Inspiring Perfect
Women were formed to temper Mankind, and sooth them into Tenderness and Compassion; not to set an Edge upon their Minds, and blowup in them those Passions which are too apt to rise of their own Accord.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Blow Compassion Edge Form Mind Passion Temper Tenderness Women
No oppression is so heavy or lasting as that which is inflicted by the perversion and exorbitance of legal authority.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Authority Exorbitance Inflict Legal Oppression Political Politics Prevention
Nature has laid out all her art in beautifying the face; she has touched it with vermilion, planted in it a double row of ivory, made it the seat of smiles and blushes, lighted it up and enlivened it with the brightness of the eyes.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Art Beautifying Double Eye Laid Light Made Nature Planted Seat
Were I to prescribe a rule for drinking, it should be formed upon a saying quoted by Sir William Temple: the first glass for myself, the second for my friends, the third for good humor, and the fourth for mine enemies.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Drinking Enemy Form Glasses Prescribe Quote Say
What an absurd thing it is to pass over all the valuable parts of a man, and fix our attention on his infirmities.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Absurd Attention Men Over Part Pass
Nature is full of wonders; every atom is a standing miracle, and endowed with such qualities, as could not be impressed on it by a power and wisdom less than infinite.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Atom Impressed Miracle Nature Quality Stand Wonder
To this end, nothing is to be more carefully consulted than plainness. In a lady’s attire this is the single excellence; for to be what some people call fine, is the same vice, in that case, as to be florid is in writing or speaking.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Attire Consult Excellence People Plainness Writing
When I read the epitaphs of the beautiful, every inordinate desire goes out; when I meet with the grief of parents upon a tombstone, my heart melts with compassion; when I see the tomb of the parents themselves,
JOSEPH ADDISON

Beautiful Epitaph Grief Hear Incardinate King Meet Parent Tombstone Upon
Our disputants put me in mind of the cuttlefish that, when he is unable to extricate himself, blackens the water about him till he becomes invisible.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Become Blacken Cuttlefish Disputant Himself Invisible Mind Unable Water
A contented mind is the greatest blessing a man can enjoy in this world.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Bless Blessed Blessing Enjoy Greatest Men Mind World
Rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Editing Editors Storm

The most skillful flattery is to let a person talk on, and be a listener.

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The most skillful flattery is to let a person talk on, and be a listener.

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