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Animals, in their generation, are wiser than the sons of men but their wisdom is confined to a few particulars, and lies in a very narrow compass.

Joseph Addison

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Joseph Addison
Age: 47 †
Born: 1672
Born: May 1
Died: 1719
Died: June 17
Editor
Essayist
Journalist
Librettist
Playwright
Poet
Politician
Writer
Milston
Wiltshire
Joseph Addisson
Right Hon. Joseph Addison
Animal
Sons
Wisdom
Wiser
Lying
Narrow
Men
Son
Animals
Generation
Particulars
Lies
Confined
Generations
Compass

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Reason shows itself in all occurrences of life whereas the brute makes no discovery of such a talent, but in what immediately regards his own preservation or the continuance of his species.
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The jealous man's disease is of so malignant a nature, that it converts all it takes into its own nourishment.
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I should think myself a very bad woman, if I had done what I do for a farthing less.
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I would have every zealous man examine his heart thoroughly, and I believe he will often find that what be calls a zeal for his religion is either pride, interest, or ill-repute.
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Among all kinds of Writing, there is none in which Authors are more apt to miscarry than in Works of Humour, as there is none in which they are more ambitious to excel.
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A man with great talents, but void of discretion, is like Polyphemus in the fable, strong and blind, endued with an irresistible force, which for want of sight is of no use to him.
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Nothing that isn't a real crime makes a man appear so contemptible and little in the eyes of the world as inconsistency.
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A reader seldom peruses a book with pleasure until he knows whether the writer of it be a black man or a fair man, of a mild or choleric disposition, married or a bachelor.
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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 I read the rules of criticism, I immediately inquire after the works of the author who has written them, and by that means discover what it is he likes in a composition.
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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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Men naturally warm and heady are transported with the greatest flush of good-nature.
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O ye powers that search The heart of man, and weigh his inmost thoughts, If I have done amiss, impute it not! The best may err, but you are good.
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Life is not long enough for a coquette to play all her tricks in.
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I have but nine-pence in ready money, but I can draw for a thousand pounds.
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The unassuming youth seeking instruction with humility gains good fortune.
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Must one rash word, the infirmity of age, throw down the merit of my better years?
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My voice is still for war. Gods! can a Roman senate long debate Which of the two to choose, slavery or death?
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Nothing is capable of being well set to music that is not nonsense.
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Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
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