Joseph Addison

A true critic ought to dwell rather upon excellencies than imperfections, to discover the concealed beauties of a writer, and communicate to the world such things as are worth their observation.

I have often thought, says Sir Roger, it happens very well that Christmas should fall out in the Middle of the Winter

Some virtues are only seen in affliction and some in prosperity.

Ambition raises a secret tumult in the soul, it inflames the mind, and puts it into a violent hurry of thought.

Admiration is a very short-lived passion that immediately decays upon growing familiar with its object, unless it be still fed with fresh discoveries, and kept alive by a new perpetual succession of miracles rising up to its view.

Were not this desire of fame very strong, the difficulty of obtaining it, and the danger of losing it when obtained, would be sufficient to deter a man from so vain a pursuit.

What an absurd thing it is to pass over all the valuable parts of a man, and fix our attention on his infirmities.

A man must be excessively stupid, as well as uncharitable, who believes that there is no virtue but on his own side, and that there are not men as honest as himself who may differ from him in political principles.

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

Mere bashfulness without merit is awkward; and merit without modesty, insolent. But modest merit has a double claim to acceptance, and generally meets with as many patrons as beholders.

A just and reasonable modesty does not only recommend eloquence, but sets off every great talent which a man can be possessed of.

Discretion is a perfection of reason, and a guide to us in all the duties of life.

What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the human soul.

I consider an human soul without education like marble in the quarry, which shews none of its inherent beauties till the skill of the polisher fetches out the colours, makes the surface shine, and discovers every ornamental cloud, spot and …

Were I to prescribe a rule for drinking, it should be formed upon a saying quoted by Sir William Temple: the first glass for myself, the second for my friends, the third for good humor, and the fourth for mine enemies.

The man who will live above his present circumstances is in great danger of living in a little time much beneath them; or as the Italian proverb runs, "The man who lives by hope, will die by hunger."

I have somewhere met with the epitaph of a charitable man, which has very much pleased me. I cannot recollect the words, but the sense of it is to this purpose; What I spent I lost; what I possessed is left to others; what I gave away …

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

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 …

Books are the legacies that a great genius leaves to mankind, which are delivered down from generation to generation, as presents to the posterity of those who are yet unborn.

The circumstance which gives authors an advantage above all these great masters, is this, that they can multiply their originals; or rather, can make copies of their works, to what number they please, which shall be as valuable as the …

Mutability of temper and inconsistency with ourselves is the greatest weakness of human nature.

A cloudy day or a little sunshine have as great an influence on many constitutions as the most real blessings or misfortunes.

Authors have established it as a kind of rule, that a man ought to be dull sometimes; as the most severe reader makes allowances for many rests and nodding places in a voluminous writer.