Our disputants put me in mind of the skuttle fish, that when he is unable to extricate himself, blackens all water about him till he becomes invisible.
-- Joseph Addison
Everything that is new or uncommon raises a pleasure in the imagination, because it fills the soul with an agreeable surprise, gratifies its curiosity, and gives it an idea of which it was not before possessed.
-- Joseph Addison
A day, an hour of virtuous liberty is worth a whole eternity in bondage.
-- Joseph Addison
The truth of it is, learning... makes a silly man ten thousand times more insufferable, by supplying variety of matter to his impertinence, and giving him an opportunity of abounding in absurdities.
-- Joseph Addison
A contented mind is the greatest blessing a man can enjoy in this world.
-- Joseph Addison
A just and reasonable modesty does not only recommend eloquence, but sets off every great talent which a man can be possessed of.
-- Joseph Addison
A man should always consider how much he has more than he wants...
-- Joseph Addison
Education is a companion which no misfortune can depress, no crime can destroy, no enemy can alienate,no despotism can enslave. At home, a friend, abroad, an introduction, in solitude a solace and in society an ornament.It chastens vice, it guides virtue, it gives at once grace and government to genius. Without it, what is man? A splendid slave, a reasoning savage.
-- 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
It is folly for an eminent man to think of escaping censure, and a weakness to be affected with it. All the illustrious persons of antiquity, and indeed of every age in the world, have passed through this fiery persecution.
-- Joseph Addison
It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are the more gentle and quiet we become towards the defects of others.
-- Joseph Addison
Jesters do often prove prophets.
-- Joseph Addison
Justice is an unassailable fortress, built on the brow of a mountain which cannot be overthrown by the violence of torrents, nor demolished by the force of armies.
-- Joseph Addison
Man is subject to innumerable pains and sorrows by the very condition of humanity, and yet, as if nature had not sown evils enough in life, we are continually adding grief to grief and aggravating the common calamity by our cruel treatment of one another.
-- 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
No oppression is so heavy or lasting as that which is inflicted by the perversion and exorbitance of legal authority.
-- Joseph Addison
Of all the diversions of life, there is none so proper to fill up its empty spaces as the reading of useful and entertaining authors.
-- Joseph Addison
Our delight in any particular study, art, or science rises and improves in proportion to the application which we bestow upon it. Thus, what was at first an exercise becomes at length an entertainment.
-- Joseph Addison
The utmost extent of man's knowledge, is to know that he knows nothing.
-- Joseph Addison
Their is no defense against criticism except obscurity.
-- Joseph Addison
They were a people so primitive they did not know how to get money, except by working for it.
-- Joseph Addison
Tradition is an important help to history, but its statements should be carefully scrutinized before we rely on them.
-- Joseph Addison
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
When men are easy in their circumstances, they are naturally enemies to innovations.
-- Joseph Addison
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