But in all despotic governments, though a particular prince may favour arts and letter, there is a natural degeneracy of mankind. Joseph Addison More Quotes by Joseph Addison More Quotes From Joseph Addison A virtuous mind in a fair body is indeed a fine picture in a good light, and therefore it is no wonder that it makes the beautiful sex all over charms. Joseph Addison womenbeautifulsex The end of a man's life is often compared to the winding up of a well written play, where the principal persons still act in character, whatever the fate in which they undergo. Joseph Addison fatedestinycharacter Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal of his candles on a rejoicing night, let her look to him and keep him out of harm's way; or the world will be apt to say, she has a mind to be a widow before her time. She ought, in such cases, to exert the authority of the curtain lecture; and if she finds him of a rebellious disposition, to tame him, as they do birds of prey, by dinning him in the ears all night long. Joseph Addison husbandmennight I think a Person who is thus terrified with the Imagination of Ghosts and Spectres much more reasonable, than one who contrary to the Reports of all Historians sacred and profane, ancient and modern, and to the Traditions of all Nations, thinks the Appearance of Spirits fabulous and groundless. Joseph Addison sacredimaginationthinking 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 friendsmenthinking Nothing makes a woman more esteemed by the opposite sex than chastity; whether it be that we always prize those most who are hardest to come at, or that nothing besides chastity, with its collateral attendants, truth, fidelity, and constancy, gives a man a property in the person he loves, and consequently endears her to him above all things. Joseph Addison oppositesmensex Fables take off from the severity of instruction, and enforce it at the same time that they conceal it. Joseph Addison severityfablesinstruction Adulterers, in the first stages of the church, were excommunicated forever, and unqualified all their lives for bearing a part in Christian assemblies, notwithstanding they might seek it with tears, and all the appearances of the most unfeigned repentance. Joseph Addison tearschristianforever 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 braverycouragemen Eternity! thou pleasing, dreadful thought. Joseph Addison time-managementeternitytime Nothing, says Longinus, can be great, the contempt of which is great. Joseph Addison contempt The talent of turning men into ridicule, and exposing to laughter those one converses with, is the qualification of little ungenerous tempers. Joseph Addison laughterlittlesmen There is no talent so pernicious as eloquence to those who have it under command. Joseph Addison eloquencecommandtalent When a man becomes familiar with his goddess, she quickly sinks into a woman. Joseph Addison goddessfamiliarmen There is not on earth a spectacle more worthy the regard of a Creator intent on his works, than a brave man superior to his sufferings. Joseph Addison sufferingearthmen A state of temperance, sobriety and justice without devotion is a cold, lifeless, insipid condition of virtue, and is rather to be styled philosophy than religion. Joseph Addison sobrietyjusticephilosophy An opera may be allowed to be extravagantly lavish in its decorations, as its only design is to gratify the senses and keep up an indolent attention in the audience. Joseph Addison designmayattention Nothing is more amiable than true modesty, and nothing more contemptible than the false. The one guards virtue, the other betrays it. Joseph Addison betraymodestyvirtue Love is a second life. Joseph Addison love-lifelove-islove It is the privilege of posterity to set matters right between those antagonists who, by their rivalry for greatness, divided a whole age. Joseph Addison greatnessagematter
