Quotes from Joseph Addison

When I look upon the tombs of the great, every emotion of envy dies in me; when I read the epitaphs of the beautiful, every inordinate desire goes out; when I meet with the grief of parents upon a tombstone, my heart melts with compassion; when I see the tomb of the parents themselves, I consider the vanity of grieving for those whom we must quickly follow;

True benevolence, or compassion, extends itself through the whole of existence and sympathises with the distress of every creature capable of sensation

Content thyself to be obscurely good. When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway, the post of honor is a private station.

The gods in bounty work up storms about us, that give mankind occasion to exert their hidden strength and throw out into practice virtues that shun the day, and lie concealed in the smooth seasons and the calms of life.

And, pleased th' Almighty's orders to perform, Rides in the whirl-wind, and directs the storm.

We are always doing something for posterity, but I would fain see posterity do something for us.

Knowledge is that which, next to virtue, truly raises one person above another.

How beautiful is death, when earned by virtue! 80 Who would not be that youth? what pity is it That we can die but once to serve our country!8 —Why sits this sadness on your brows, my friends? I should have blushed if Cato's house had stood Secure, and flourished in a civil war. 85 —Portius, behold thy brother, and remember Thy life is not thy own, when Rome demands it.

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.

when I see kings lying by those who deposed them,... or holy men that divided the world with their contests and disputes, I reflect with sorrow and astonishment on the little competitions, factions, and debates of mankind.

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.

Let Rufus weep, rejoice, stand, sit, or walk, Still he can nothing but of Nævia talk: Let him eat, drink, ask Questions, or dispute, Still he must speak of Nævia, or be mute. He writ to his Father, ending with this Line, I am, my Lovely Nævia, ever thine.