Joseph Addison
England
1 May 1672 // 17 Jun 1719
Author / Poet / Essayist
1 May 1672 // 17 Jun 1719
Author / Poet / Essayist
Quotes
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Contentment produces, in some measure, all those effects which the alchemist usually ascribes to what he calls the philosopher's stone; and if it does not bring riches, it does the same thing by banishing the desire for them
But silence never shows itself to so great an advantage, as when it is made the reply to calumny and defamation, provided that we give no just occasion for them
Arguments out of a pretty mouth are unanswerable
Among those evils which befall us, there are many which have been more painful to us in the prospect than by their actual pressure
All well-regulated families set apart an hour every morning for tea and bread and butter
A true critic ought rather to dwell upon excellences than imperfections, to discern the concealed beauties of a writer, and communicate to the world such things as are worth their observation
A solid and substantial greatness of soul looks down with neglect on the censures and applauses of the multitude
A man should always consider how much more unhappy he might be than he is
A man improves more by reading the story of a person eminent for prudence and virtue, than by the finest rules and precepts of morality
A friendship that makes the least noise is very often the most useful; for which reason I should prefer a prudent friend to a zealous one
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On Anger: "For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind."
Essays
Essays
On Destiny: "Our destiny exercises its influence over us even when, as yet, we have not learned its nature: it is our future that lays down the law of our today."
Human, All Too Human
Human, All Too Human
On Friendship: "A crowd is not company; and faces are but a gallery of pictures; and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love."
Essays
Essays