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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.

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
Works
Inquire
Written
Composition
Author
Read
Immediately
Means
Discover
Mean
Likes
Criticism
Rules

More quotes by Joseph Addison

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Our friends don't see our faults, or conceal them, or soften 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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The utmost we can hope for in this world is contentment if we aim at anything higher, we shall meet with nothing but grief and disappointment. A man should direct all his studies and endeavors at making himself easy now and happy hereafter.
Joseph Addison
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Arguments out of a pretty mouth are unanswerable.
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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To be exempt from the passions with which others are tormented, is the only pleasing solitude.
Joseph Addison
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Without constancy there is neither love, friendship, nor virtue in the world.
Joseph Addison
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Their is no defense against criticism except obscurity.
Joseph Addison
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A man’s first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart.
Joseph Addison
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The stars shall fade away, the sun himself Grow dim with age, and nature sink in years, But thou shalt flourish in immortal youth, Unhurt amidst the wars of elements, The wrecks of matter, and the crush of worlds.
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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From hence, let fierce contending nations know, what dire effects from civil discord flow.
Joseph Addison
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Beauty commonly produces love, but cleanliness preserves it. Age itself is not unamiable while it is preserved clean and unsullied like a piece of metal constantly kept smooth and bright, we look on it with more pleasure than on a new vessel cankered with rust.
Joseph Addison
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The world is so full of ill-nature that I have lampoons sent me by people who cannot spell, and satires composed by those who scarce know how to write.
Joseph Addison
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The greatest parts, without discretion as observed by an elegant writer, may be fatal to their owner as Polyphemus, deprived of his eyes, was only the more exposed on account of his enormous strength and stature.
Joseph Addison
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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.
Joseph Addison
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I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs.
Joseph Addison
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Love is a second life it grows into the soul, warms every vein, and beats in every pulse.
Joseph Addison
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Guard thy heart on this weak side, where most our nature fails.
Joseph Addison
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Blesses his stars and thinks it luxury.
Joseph Addison