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If we hope for what we are not likely to possess, we act and think in vain, and make life a greater dream and shadow than it really is.

Joseph Addison

That aids and strengthens virtue where it meets her And imitates her actions where she is not: It is not to be sported with.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Action Aid Imitate Meet Sport Strength
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

Difference Good Greatest Men Mind Music Open Vanity Wise
A day, an hour, of virtuous liberty Is worth a whole eternity in bondage.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Bondage Day Eternity Hour Liberty Virtue
A man must be both stupid and uncharitable who believes there is no virtue or truth but on his own side.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Believe Own Side Stupid Uncharitable War
Soon as the evening shades prevail, The moon takes up the wondrous tale, And nightly to the listening earth Repeats the story of her birth.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Birth Evening Listen Listening Moon Repeat Shade Stories Take Tale Wondrous
Nothing is more gratifying to the mind of man than power or dominion.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Christian Dominion Gratifying Men Mind Nothing Power
A wealthy doctor who can help a poor man, and will not without a fee, has less sense of humanity than a poor ruffian, who kills a rich man to supply his necessities.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Doctors Humanity Kill Man Men Poor Ruffian Wealthy
Honour’s a sacred tie, the law of kings, The noble mind’s distinguishing perfection
JOSEPH ADDISON

Distinguish Honor King Law Mind Noble Perfection Sacred Ties
The voice of reason is more to be regarded than the bent of any present inclination; since inclination will at length come over to reason, though we can never force reason to comply with inclination.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Bent Come Inclination Length Present Reason Regard Since Voice
There is nothing more requisite in business than despatch.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Business Decision Despatch Making Nothing Requisite
A true critic ought to dwell rather upon excellencies than imperfections
JOSEPH ADDISON

Critic Excellence Imperfection Inspiration Ought True
The friendships of the world are oft confederacies in vice, or leagues of pleasures.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Confederacy Friendship League Pleasure Vice
A person may be qualified to do greater good to mankind and become more beneficial to the world, by morality without faith than by faith without morality.
JOSEPH ADDISON

Become Greater Mankind May Morality Person Qualified World
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

Arise Conversation Enjoyment Friendship Happiness One Self Talking
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
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

Beauty Discover Impression Mastery Men Reading Stroke Stronger Writing

If we hope for what we are not likely to possess, we act and think in vain, and make life a greater dream and shadow than it really is.

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If we hope for what we are not likely to possess, we act and think in vain, and make life a greater dream and shadow than it really is.

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