Joseph Addison
Joseph Addison
Joseph Addisonwas an English essayist, poet, playwright, and politician. He was the eldest son of The Reverend Lancelot Addison. His name is usually remembered alongside that of his long-standing friend, Richard Steele, with whom he founded The Spectator magazine...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionWriter
Date of Birth1 May 1672
men laughing use
If ridicule were employed to laugh men out of vice and folly, it might be of some use.
sleep people would-be
In England we see people lulled sleep with solid and elaborate discourses of piety, who would be warmed and transported out of themselves by the bellowings and distortions of enthusiasm.
mind action good-intentions
It is of unspeakable advantage to possess our minds with an habitual good intention, and to aim all our thoughts, words, and actions at some laudable end.
pain real noble
There is noting truly valuable which can be purchased without pains and labor. The gods have set a price upon every real and noble pleasure.
evil action sin
An evil intention perverts the best actions, and makes them sins.
life crush stars
I 'm weary of conjectures,-this must end 'em. Thus am I doubly armed: my death and life, My bane and antidote, are both before me: This in a moment brings me to an end; But this informs me I shall never die. The soul, secured in her existence, smiles At the drawn dagger, and defies its point. The stars shall fade away, the sun himself Grow dim with age, and Nature sink in years; But thou shalt flourish in immortal youth, Unhurt amidst the war of elements, The wrecks of matter, and the crush of worlds.
character fate destiny
The end of a man's life is often compared to the winding up of a well written play, where the principal persons still act in character, whatever the fate in which they undergo.
play dating long
Life is not long enough for a coquette to play all her tricks in.
practice names age
There is no kind of false wit which has been so recommended by the practice of all ages, as that which consists in a jingle of words, and is comprehended under the general name of punning.
mouths argument
Arguments out of a pretty mouth are unanswerable.
attitude fire frost
Whether zeal or moderation be the point we aim at, let us keep the fire out of the one, and the frost out of the other.
respect men cherish
Men who cherish for women the highest respect are seldom popular with them.
ignorance self prejudice
Prejudice and self-sufficiency naturally proceed from inexperience of the world, and ignorance of mankind.
mean criticism likes
When I read the rules of criticism, I immediately inquire after the works of the author who has written them, and by that means discover what it is he likes in a composition.