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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.
Joseph Addison -
Mirth is like a flash of lightning, that breaks through a gloom of clouds, and glitters for a moment; cheerfulness keeps up a kind of daylight in the mind, and fills it with a steady and perpetual serenity.
Joseph Addison
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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.
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 -
The utmost extent of man's knowledge, is to know that he knows nothing.
Joseph Addison -
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.
Joseph Addison -
The important question is not, what will yield to man a few scattered pleasures, but what will render his life happy on the whole amount.
Joseph Addison -
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.
Joseph Addison
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One should take good care not to grow too wise for so great a pleasure of life as laughter.
Joseph Addison -
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.
Joseph Addison -
A contented mind is the greatest blessing a man can enjoy in this world.
Joseph Addison -
A man must be both stupid and uncharitable who believes there is no virtue or truth but on his own side.
Joseph Addison -
There is not a more unhappy being than a superannuated idol.
Joseph Addison -
Admiration is a very short-lived passion, that immediately decays upon growing familiar with its object.
Joseph Addison
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Friendships, in general, are suddenly contracted; and therefore it is no wonder they are easily dissolved.
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 -
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 -
I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs.
Joseph Addison -
A woman seldom asks advice before she has bought her wedding clothes.
Joseph Addison -
The post of honour is a private station.
Joseph Addison
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What pity is it That we can die, but once to serve our country.
Joseph Addison -
I will indulge my sorrows, and give way to all the pangs and fury of despair.
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 -
When men are easy in their circumstances, they are naturally enemies to innovations.
Joseph Addison