Animals, in their generation, are wiser than the sons of men; but their wisdom is confined to a few particulars, and lies in a very narrow compass.
JOSEPH ADDISONCertain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter. In love to our wives there is desire; to our sons, ambition, but to our daughters there is something which there are no words to express.
More Joseph Addison Quotes
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An evil intention perverts the best actions, and makes them sins.
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Our real blessings often appear to us in the shape of pains, losses and disappointments; but let us have patience and we soon shall see them in their proper figures.
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 -
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 -
No oppression is so heavy or lasting as that which is inflicted by the perversion and exorbitance of legal authority.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
Silence is sometimes more significant and sublime than the most noble and most expressive eloquence, and is on many occasions the indication of a great mind.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
Men may change their climate, but they cannot change their nature. A man that goes out a fool cannot ride or sail himself into common sense.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
Riches expose a man to pride and luxury, and a foolish elation of heart.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
Courage is the thing. All goes if courage goes.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
Content thyself to be obscurely good.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
Evil may at some future period bring forth good; and good may bring forth evil, both equally unexpected.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
He who would pass his declining years with honor and comfort, should, when young, consider that he may one day become old, and remember when he is old, that he has once been young.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
The great difference is, that the first knows how to pick and cull his thoughts for conversation, by suppressing some, and communicating others; whereas the other lets them all indifferently fly out in words.
JOSEPH ADDISON -
How is it possible for those who are men of honor in their persons, thus to become notorious liars in their party
JOSEPH ADDISON -
Cheerfulness is the best promoter of health and is as friendly to the mind as to the body.
JOSEPH ADDISON






