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

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
Men
Utmost
Extent
Literature
Knowledge
Nothing

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Fame is a good so wholly foreign to our natures that we have no faculty in the soul adapted to it, nor any organ in the body to relish it an object of desire placed out of the possibility of fruition.
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There is nobody so weak of invention that cannot make some little stories to villify his enemy.
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Nothing lies on our hands with such uneasiness as time. Wretched and thoughtless creatures! In the only place where covetousness were a virtue we turn prodigals.
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Women were formed to temper Mankind, and sooth them into Tenderness and Compassion not to set an Edge upon their Minds, and blowup in them those Passions which are too apt to rise of their own Accord.
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There is sometimes a greater judgement shewn in deviating from the rules of art, than in adhering to them and?there ismore beauty inthe works of a great genius who is ignorant of all the rules of art, than in the works of a little genius, who not only knows but scrupulously observes them.
Joseph Addison
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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.
Joseph Addison
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There is more of turn than of truth in a saying of Seneca, That drunkenness does not produce but discover faults. Common experience teaches the contrary. Wine throws a man out of himself, and infuses dualities into the mind which she is a stranger to in her sober moments.
Joseph Addison
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The hours of a wise man are lengthened by his ideas.
Joseph Addison
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There is noting truly valuable which can be purchased without pains and labor. The gods have set a price upon every real and noble pleasure.
Joseph Addison
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Faith is kept alive in us, and gathers strength, more from practice than from speculations.
Joseph Addison
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A man should always consider how much he has more than he wants.
Joseph Addison
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In private conversation between intimate friends, the wisest men very often talk like the weakest : for indeed the talking with a friend is nothing else but thinking aloud.
Joseph Addison
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To be exempt from the passions with which others are tormented, is the only pleasing solitude.
Joseph Addison
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If we may believe our logicians, man is distinguished from all other creatures by the faculty of laughter. He has a heart capable of mirth, and naturally disposed to it.
Joseph Addison
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Great souls by instinct to each other turn, demand alliance, and in friendship burn.
Joseph Addison
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There is nothing more requisite in business than despatch.
Joseph Addison
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Cunning is only the mimic of discretion, and may pass upon weak men in the same manner as vivacity is often mistaken for wit, and gravity for wisdom.
Joseph Addison
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I have but nine-pence in ready money, but I can draw for a thousand pounds.
Joseph Addison
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With what astonishment and veneration may we look into our own souls, where there are such hidden stores of virtue and knowledge, such inexhaustible sources of perfection. We know not yet what we shall be, nor will it ever enter into the heart to conceive the glory that will be always in reserve for it.
Joseph Addison
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The time never lies heavy upon him it is impossible for him to be alone.
Joseph Addison