Joseph Addison Quotes
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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.
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The most violent appetites in all creatures are lust and hunger; the first is a perpetual call upon them to propagate their kind, the latter to preserve themselves.
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There is nothing that makes its way more directly into the soul than beauty.
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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.
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The utmost extent of man's knowledge, is to know that he knows nothing.
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Some virtues are only seen in affliction and others only in prosperity.
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A true critic ought to dwell upon excellencies rather than imperfections, to discover the concealed beauties of a writer, and communicate to the world such things as are worth their observation.
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A woman seldom asks advice before she has bought her wedding clothes.
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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.
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Friendships, in general, are suddenly contracted; and therefore it is no wonder they are easily dissolved.
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One should take good care not to grow too wise for so great a pleasure of life as laughter.
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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.
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A man must be both stupid and uncharitable who believes there is no virtue or truth but on his own side.
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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 wars of elements, The wrecks of matter, and the crush of worlds.
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Suspicion is not less an enemy to virtue than to happiness; he that is already corrupt is naturally suspicious, and he that becomes suspicious will quickly be corrupt.
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When men are easy in their circumstances, they are naturally enemies to innovations.
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To be an atheist requires an indefinitely greater measure of faith than to recieve all the great truths which atheism would deny.
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A contented mind is the greatest blessing a man can enjoy in this world.
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I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs.
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There is not a more unhappy being than a superannuated idol.
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Admiration is a very short-lived passion, that immediately decays upon growing familiar with its object.
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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.
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I will indulge my sorrows, and give way to all the pangs and fury of despair.
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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.