Quotes from Joseph Addison

If we hope for what we are not likely to possess, we act and think in vain, and make life a greater dream and shadow than it really is.

It is a great presumption to ascribe our successes to our own management, and not to esteem ourselves upon any blessing, rather as it is the bounty of heaven, than the acquisition of our own prudence.

One of the best springs of generous and worthy actions, is having generous and worthy thoughts of ourselves: whoever has a mean opinion of the dignity of his nature will act in no higher a rank than he has allotted himself in his own estimation.

Our disputants put me in mind of the cuttlefish, that when he is unable to extricate himself, blackens all the water about him till he becomes invisible.

Sir Roger . . . told them, with the air of a man who would not give his judgement rashly, that much might be said on both sides.

I have but ninepence in ready money, but I can draw for a thousand pounds.

The woman that deliberates is lost.

Our disputants put me in mind of the skuttle fish, that when he is unable to extricate himself, blackens all the water about him, till be becomes invisible.

The utmost extent of man's knowledge, is to know that he knows nothing.

If I can any way contribute to the diversion or improvement of the country in which I live, I shall leave it, when I am summoned out of it, with the secret satisfaction of thinking that I have not lived in vain.

Soon as the evening shades prevail,The moon takes up the wondrous tale,And nightly to the listening earthRepeats the story of her birth;While all the stars that round her burn,And all the planets in their turn,Confirm the tidings as they roll,And spread the truth from pole to pole.

When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway,The post of honor is a private station.

Music can noble hints impart, Engender fury, kindle love, With unsuspected eloquence can move, And manage all the man with secret art.

The fear of death often proves mortal, and sets people on methods to save their Lives, which infallibly destroy them.

Much might be said on both sides.

Curse on his virtues! they've undone his country.

From hence, let fierce contending nations knowWhat dire effects from civil discord flow.

We are always doing, says he, something for Posterity, but I would fain see Posterity do something for us.

A woman seldom asks advice before she has bought her wedding clothes.

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.

My voice is still for war.Gods! can a Roman senate long debateWhich of the two to choose, slavery or death?

Music, the greatest good that mortals know and all of heaven we have hear below.

Blesses his stars and thinks it luxury.

There is nothing touches our imagination so much as a beautiful woman in a plain dress.