JOSEPH ADDISON QUOTES V

English essayist, poet & playwright (1672-1719)

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


But further, a man whose extraordinary reputation thus lifts him up to the notice and Observation of mankind, draws a multitude of eyes upon him that will narrowly inspect every part of him.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Spectator, No. 256


The soul, secured in her existence, smiles at the drawn dagger, and defies its point.

JOSEPH ADDISON

Cato


It is odd to consider what great geniuses are sometimes thrown away upon trifles.

JOSEPH ADDISON

"Genius", Essays and Tales

Tags: genius


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

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Campaign

Tags: friendship


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

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Guardian, Jul. 4, 1713

Tags: justice


There is no greater sign of a bad cause, than when the patrons of it are reduced to the necessity of making use of the most wicked artifices to support it.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Freeholder, Jan. 13, 1716


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


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


If you hate your enemies, you will contract such a vicious habit of mind, as by degrees will break out upon those who are your friends.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Spectator, July 24, 1711

Tags: hate


Nature is full of wonders; every atom is a standing miracle, and endowed with such qualities, as could not be impressed on it by a power and wisdom less than infinite.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Tatler, Aug. 26, 1710

Tags: nature, miracles


What means this heaviness that hangs upon me?
This lethargy that creeps through all my senses?
Nature, oppress'd and harrass'd out with care,
Sinks down to rest.

JOSEPH ADDISON

Cato

Tags: sleep


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


Mysterious love, uncertain treasure, hast thou more of pain or pleasure! Chill'd with tears, kill'd with fears, endless torments dwell about thee: yet who would live, and live without thee!

JOSEPH ADDISON

Rosamond

Tags: love


Nations with nations mix'd confus'dly die, and lost in one promiscuous carnage lie.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Campaign


A good conscience is to the soul what health is to the body; it preserves a constant ease and serenity within us, and more than countervails all the calamities and afflictions which can possibly befall us.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Guardian, Aug. 15, 1713

Tags: conscience, soul


Good nature is more agreeable in conversation than wit, and gives a certain air to the countenance which is more amiable than beauty.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Spectator, Sep. 13, 1711


The sun, which is as the great soul of the universe, and produces all the necessaries of life, has a particular influence in cheering the mind of man, and making the heart glad.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Spectator, May 24, 1712

Tags: sun


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

attributed, Wisdom for the Soul: Five Millennia of Prescriptions for Spiritual Healing

Tags: smiling


Charity is a virtue of the heart, and not of the hands.

JOSEPH ADDISON

The Guardian, Sep. 21, 1713

Tags: charity