Quote

Sir Francis Bacon observed that a well-written book, compared with its rivals and antagonists, is like Moses' serpent, that immediately swallowed up and devoured those of the Egyptians.

Joseph Addison

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

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
Written
Bacon
Wells
Serpent
Book
Rivals
Antagonists
Well
Moses
Egyptians
Like
Observed
Devoured
Compared
Antagonist
Immediately
Francis
Style
Swallowed

More quotes by Joseph Addison

Image
Contentment produces, in some measure, all those effects which the alchemist usually ascribes to what he calls the philosopher's stone and if it does not bring riches, it does the same thing by banishing the desire for them.
Joseph Addison
Image
Riches expose a man to pride and luxury, and a foolish elation of heart.
Joseph Addison
Image
The dawn is overcast, the morning lowers, And heavily in clouds brings on the day, The great, the important day, big with the fate Of Cato and of Rome.
Joseph Addison
Image
Courage that grows from constitution often forsakes a man when he has occasion for it courage which arises from a sense of duty acts in a uniform manner.
Joseph Addison
Image
Good nature is more agreeable in conversation than wit and gives a certain air to the countenance which is more amiable than beauty.
Joseph Addison
Image
That he delights in the misery of others no man will confess, and yet what other motive can make a father cruel?
Joseph Addison
Image
The Fear of Death often proves Mortal.
Joseph Addison
Image
It is folly for an eminent man to think of escaping censure, and a weakness to be affected with it. All the illustrious persons of antiquity, and indeed of every age in the world, have passed through this fiery persecution.
Joseph Addison
Image
A man should always consider how much he has more than he wants.
Joseph Addison
Image
Mere bashfulness without merit is awkwardness.
Joseph Addison
Image
Love, anger, pride and avarice all visibly move in those little orbs.
Joseph Addison
Image
There is no kind of false wit which has been so recommended by the practice of all ages, as that which consists in a jingle of words, and is comprehended under the general name of punning.
Joseph Addison
Image
There is nothing in which men more deceive themselves than in what they call zeal.
Joseph Addison
Image
It is certain that there is no other passion which does produce such contrary effects in so great a degree. But this may be said for love, that if you strike it out of the soul, life would be insipid, and our being but half animated.
Joseph Addison
Image
Jesters do often prove prophets.
Joseph Addison
Image
Must one rash word, the infirmity of age, throw down the merit of my better years?
Joseph Addison
Image
Let echo, too, perform her part, Prolonging every note with art And in a low expiring strain, Play all the comfort o'er again.
Joseph Addison
Image
Most of the trades, professions, and ways of living among mankind, take their original either from the love of the pleasure, or the fear of want. The former, when it becomes too violent, degenerates into luxury, and the latter into avarice.
Joseph Addison
Image
Music, when thus applied, raises noble hints in the mind of the hearer, and fills it with great conceptions. It strengthens devotion, and advances praise into rapture.
Joseph Addison
Image
But in all despotic governments, though a particular prince may favour arts and letter, there is a natural degeneracy of mankind.
Joseph Addison