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

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
Vice
Prevails
Vices
Sway
Content
Station
Bear
Thyself
Private
Stations
Bears
Honour
Honor
Post
Obscurely
Good
Posts
Impious

More quotes by Joseph Addison

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When I consider the Question, Whether there are such Persons in the World as those we call Witches? My Mind is divided between the two opposite Opinions or rather I believe in general that there is, and has been such a thing as Witchcraft but at the same time can give no Credit to any Particular Instance of it.
Joseph Addison
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The head has the most beautiful appearance, as well as the highest station, in a human figure.
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It is ridiculous for any man to criticize on the works of another, who has not distinguished himself by his own performances.
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Knavery is ever suspicious of knavery.
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The time never lies heavy upon him it is impossible for him to be alone.
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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.
Joseph Addison
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Every passion gives a particular cast to the countenance, and is apt to discover itself in some feature or other. I have seen an eye curse for half an hour together, and an eyebrow call a man a scoundrel.
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An ostentatious man will rather relate a blunder or an absurdity he has committed, than be debarred from talking of his own dear person.
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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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Modesty is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue.
Joseph Addison
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If men, who in their hearts are friends to a government, forbear giving it their utmost assistance against its enemies, they put it in the power of a few desperate men to ruin the welfare of those who are much superior to them in strength, number, and interest.
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An honest private man often grows cruel and abandoned when converted into an absolute prince. Give a man power of doing what he pleases with impunity, you extinguish his fear, and consequently overturn in him one of the great pillars of morality.
Joseph Addison
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Blesses his stars and thinks it luxury.
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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Instability of temper ought to be checked when it disposes men to wander from one scheme to another: since such a fickleness cannot but be attended with fatal consequences.
Joseph Addison
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How is it possible for those who are men of honor in their persons, thus to become notorious liars in their party
Joseph Addison
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The statue lies hid in a block of marble and the art of the statuary only clears away the superfluous matter, and removes the rubbish.
Joseph Addison
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Their is no defense against criticism except obscurity.
Joseph Addison
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Waning moons their settled periods keep, to swell the billows and ferment the deep.
Joseph Addison
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Should a writer single out and point his raillery at particular persons, or satirize the miserable, he might be sure of pleasing a great part of his readers, but must be a very ill man if he could please himself.
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