JOSEPH ADDISON QUOTES III

English essayist, poet & playwright (1672-1719)

The spacious firmament on nigh,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame,
Their great Original proclaim.
Forever singing, as they shine,
The hand that made us is divine.

JOSEPH ADDISON

Ode: The Spacious Firmament on High

Tags: stars


It is the duty of all who make philosophy the entertainment of their lives, to turn their thoughts to practical schemes for the good of society, and not pass away their time in fruitless searches, which tend rather to the ostentation of knowledge than the service of life.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Tatler, Dec. 9, 1710

Tags: philosophy


A day, an hour, of virtuous liberty is worth a whole eternity in bondage.

JOSEPH ADDISON

Cato

Tags: liberty


On you, my lord, with anxious fear I wait, and from your judgment must expect my fate.

JOSEPH ADDISON

A Poem to His Majesty

Tags: fate


Nature does nothing without purpose or uselessly.

JOSEPH ADDISON

Cato

Tags: nature


Poverty palls the most generous spirits; it cows industry, and casts resolution itself into despair.

JOSEPH ADDISON

attributed, Day's Collacon

Tags: poverty


When I consider the question, whether there are such persons in the world as those we call witches? my mind is divided between the two opposite opinions; or rather (to speak my thoughts freely) I believe in general that there is, and has been such a thing as witchcraft; but at the same time can give no credit to any particular instance of it.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Spectator, No. 117

Tags: witchcraft


Exercise ferments the humors, casts them into their proper channels, throws off redundancies, and helps nature in those secret distributions, without which the body cannot subsist in its vigor, nor the soul act with cheerfulness.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Spectator, Jul. 12, 1711

Tags: exercise


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

Hymn

Tags: mercy


A common civility to an impertinent fellow, often draws upon one a great many unforeseen troubles; and if one doth not take particular care, will be interpreted by him as an overture of friendship and intimacy.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Tatler, Apr. 18, 1710


Young men soon give and soon forget affronts; old age is slow in both.

JOSEPH ADDISON

Cato

Tags: youth, old age


Great souls by instinct to each other turn, demand alliance, and in friendship burn.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Campaign

Tags: friendship


Modesty is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Spectator, Nov. 24, 1711

Tags: modesty, virtue


It is an unspeakable advantage to possess our minds with an habitual good intention, and to aim all our thoughts, words, and actions, at some laudable end.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Spectator: In Eight Volumes, Volume 3

Tags: intentions


'Tis pride, rank pride, and haughtiness of soul:
I think the Romans call it Stoicism.

JOSEPH ADDISON

Cato

Tags: pride


The sense of honour is of so fine and delicate a nature, that it is only to be met with in minds which are naturally noble, or in such as have been cultivated by good examples, or a refined education.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Guardian, No. 161

Tags: honor


If men, who in their hearts are friends to a government, forbear giving it their utmost assistance against its enemies, they put it in the power of a few desperate men to ruin the welfare of those who are much superior to them in strength, number, and interest.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Freeholder, Feb. 3, 1716

Tags: government


A man's first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart; his next to escape the censures of the world: if the last interferes with the former, it ought to be entirely neglected; but otherwise there cannot be a greater satisfaction to an honest mind, than to see those approbations which it gives itself seconded by the applauses of the public: a man is more sure of his conduct, when the verdict which he passes upon his own behaviour is thus warranted and confirmed by the opinion of all that know him.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Spectator, Jul. 20, 1711

Tags: praise


That rebellion is one of the most heinous crimes which it is in the power of man to commit, may appear from several considerations. First, as it destroys the end of all government, and the benefits of civil society. Government was instituted for maintaining the peace, safety, and happiness of a people. These great ends are brought about by a general conformity and submission to that frame of laws which is established in every community, for the protection of the innocent, and the punishment of the guilty. As on the one side men are secured in the quiet possession of their lives, properties, and everything they have a right to; so on the other side, those who offer them any injury in these particulars, are subject to penalties proportioned to their respective offences. Government, therefore, mitigates the inequality of power among particular persons, and makes an innocent man, though of the lowest rank, a match for the mightiest of his fellow subjects; since he has the force of the whole community on his side, which is able to control the insolence or injustice of any private oppressor. Now rebellion disappoints all these ends and benefits of government, by raising a power in opposition to that authority which has been established among a people for their mutual welfare and defence. So that rebellion is as great an evil to society, as government itself is a blessing.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Freeholder, Jan. 30, 1716

Tags: revolution


Justice discards party, friendship, kindred, and is therefore always represented as blind.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Guardian, Jul. 4, 1713

Tags: justice