Arguments out of a pretty mouth are unanswerable. Joseph Addison More Quotes by Joseph Addison More Quotes From Joseph Addison If you wish success in life, make perseverance your bosom friend. Joseph Addison guardian-angelperseverancesuccess Who rant by note, and through the gamut rage; in songs and airs express their martial fire; combat in trills, and in a fugue expire. Joseph Addison fireairsong Allegories, when well chosen, are like so many tracks of light in a discourse, that make everything about them clear and beautiful. Joseph Addison tracklightbeautiful The time never lies heavy upon him; it is impossible for him to be alone. Joseph Addison heavyimpossiblelying Two persons who have chosen each other out of all the species with a design to be each other's mutual comfort and entertainment have, in that action, bound themselves to be good-humored, affable, discreet, forgiving, patient, and joyful, with respect to each other's frailties and perfections, to the end of their lives. Joseph Addison anniversaryperfectiontwo In the founders of great families, titles or attributes of honor are generally correspondent with the virtues of the person to whom they are applied; but in their descendants they are too often the marks rather of grandeur than of merit. The stamp and denomination still continue, but the intrinsic value is frequently lost. Joseph Addison ancestrytitleshonor The moderns cannot reach their beauties, but can avoid their imperfections. Joseph Addison imperfection Among those evils which befall us, there are many which have been more painful to us in the prospect than by their actual pressure. Joseph Addison anxietypressureevil Tradition is an important help to history, but its statements should be carefully scrutinized before we rely on them. Joseph Addison traditionimportanthelping Though a man has all other perfections, and wants discretion, he will be of no great consequence in the world; but if he has this single talent in perfection, and but a common share of others, he may do what he pleases in his station of life. Joseph Addison perfectionmenworld 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 schemeswandermen The spacious firmament on high, Joseph Addison shiningskyblue Tis heaven itself, that points out an hereafter, and intimates eternity to man. Joseph Addison eternitymenheaven Men of warm imaginations and towering thoughts are apt to overlook the goods of fortune which are near them, for something that glitters in the sight at a distance; to neglect solid and substantial happiness for what is showy and superficial; and to contemn that good which lies within their reach, for that which they are not capable of attaining. Hope calculates its schemes for a long and durable life; presses forward to imaginary points of bliss; grasps at impossibilities; and consequently very often ensnares men into beggary, ruin, and dishonour. Joseph Addison distancehappinesslying In my Lucia's absence Life hangs upon me, and becomes a burden; I am ten times undone, while hope, and fear, And grief, and rage and love rise up at once, And with variety of pain distract me. Joseph Addison painand-lovegrief A money-lender--he serves you in the present tense; he lends you in the conditional mood; keeps you in the conjunctive; and ruins you in the future. Joseph Addison tenseruinsmood Nature is full of wonders; every atom is a standing miracle, and endowed with such qualities, as could not be impressed on it by a power and wisdom less than infinite. Joseph Addison qualitymiraclenature It is the duty of all who make philosophy the entertainment of their lives, to turn their thoughts to practical schemes for the good of society, and not pass away their time in fruitless searches, which tend rather to the ostentation of knowledge than the service of life. Joseph Addison entertainmentpassing-awayphilosophy I am very much concerned when I see young gentlemen of fortune and quality so wholly set upon pleasures and diversions, that they neglect all those improvements in wisdom and knowledge which may make them easy to themselves and useful to the world. Joseph Addison qualitygentlemanworld Nations with nations mix'd confus'dly die, and lost in one promiscuous carnage lie. Joseph Addison lostwarlying
