Man is subject to innumerable pains and sorrows by the very condition of humanity, and yet, as if nature had not sown evils enough in life, we are continually adding grief to grief and aggravating the common calamity by our cruel treatment of one another.
JOSEPH ADDISONWhen 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,
More Joseph Addison Quotes
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When a woman comes to her class, she does not employ her time in making herself look more advantageously what she really is, but endeavours to be as much another creature as she possibly can.
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Temperance gives nature her full play, and enables her to exert herself in all her force and vigor.
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When men are easy in their circumstances, they are naturally enemies to innovations.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
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.
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Let freedom never perish in your hands.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
It is ridiculous for any man to criticize on the works of another, who has not distinguished himself by his own performances.
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True happiness arises, in the first place, from the enjoyment of one’s self, and in the next, from the friendship and conversation of a few select companions.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
This not in mortals to command success, but we’ll do more, Sempronius, we’ll deserve it.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
A man who has any relish for fine writing either discovers new beauties or receives stronger impressions from the masterly strokes of a great author every time he peruses him; besides that he naturally wears himself into the same manner of speaking and thinking.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body. As by the one, health is preserved, strengthened, and invigorated: by the other, virtue (which is the health of the mind) is kept alive, cherished, and confirmed.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
Wit is the fetching of congruity out of incongruity.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
A man should always consider how much he has more than he wants.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
When all thy mercies, O my God, My rising soul surveys, Transported with the view I’m lost, in wonder, love and praise.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
I Have often thought if the minds of men were laid open, we should see but little difference between that of the wise man and that of the fool.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
Admiration is a very short lived passion that immediately decays upon growing familiar with its object, unless it still be fed with fresh discoveries, and kept alive by a new perpetual succession of miracles rising up to its view.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
Words, when well chosen, have so great a force in them, that a description often gives us more lively ideas than the sight of things themselves.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
Artificial intelligence will never be a match for natural stupidity.
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Content thyself to be obscurely good.
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There is no virtue so truly great and godlike as justice.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
An evil intention perverts the best actions, and makes them sins.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
Among all kinds of Writing, there is none in which Authors are more apt to miscarry than in Works of Humour, as there is none in which they are more ambitious to excel.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
A good character, good habits and iron industry are impregnable to the assaults of all ill-luck that fools ever dreamed.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
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 -
The hours of a wise man are lengthened by his ideas.
JOSEPH ADDISON