Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. Joseph Addison More Quotes by Joseph Addison More Quotes From Joseph Addison But in all despotic governments, though a particular prince may favour arts and letter, there is a natural degeneracy of mankind. Joseph Addison governmentlettersart It must be so, Plato, thou reason'st well! Joseph Addison wellsplatoreason Our forefathers looked upon nature with more reverence and horror, before the world was enlightened by learning and philosophy, and loved to astonish themselves with the apprehensions of witchcraft, prodigies, charms, and inchantments. There was not a village in England that had not a ghost in it, the church-yards were all haunted, every large common had a circle of fairies belonging to it, and there was scarce a shepherd to be met with who had not seen a spirit. Joseph Addison circleschurchphilosophy I... recommend to every one of my Readers, the keeping a Journal of their Lives for one Week, and setting down punctually their whole Series of Employments during that Space of Time. This kind of Self-Examination would give them a true State of themselves, and incline them to consider seriously what they are about. One Day would rectifie the Omissions of another, and make a Man weigh all those indifferent Actions, which, though they are easily forgotten, must certainly be accounted for. Joseph Addison omissionspacemen Is it not wonderful, that the love of the parent should be so violent while it lasts and that it should last no longer than is necessary for the preservation of the young? Joseph Addison lastsparentwonderful There is no society or conversation to be kept up in the world without good-nature, or something which must bear its appearance and supply its place. For this reason mankind have been forced to invent a kind of artificial humanity, which is what we express by the word Good-Breeding. Joseph Addison humanitybearsworld Advertisements are of great use to the vulgar. First of all, as they are instruments of ambition. A man that is by no means big enough for the Gazette, may easily creep into the advertisements; by which means we often see an apothecary in the same paper of news with a plenipotentiary, or a running footman with an ambassador. Joseph Addison ambitionrunningmean Hope calculates its scenes for a long and durable life; presses forward to imaginary points of bliss; and grasps at impossibilities; and consequently very often ensnares men into beggary, ruin and dishonor. Joseph Addison hopemenlong Irregularity and want of method are only supportable in men of great learning or genius, who are often too full to be exact, and therefore they choose to throw down their pearls in heaps before the reader, rather than be at the pains of stringing them. Joseph Addison learningpainmen If we may believe our logicians, man is distinguished from all other creatures by the faculty of laughter. He has a heart capable of mirth, and naturally disposed to it. Joseph Addison laughterheartbelieve The union of the Word and the Mind produces that mystery which is called Life... Learn deeply of the Mind and its mystery, for therein lies the secret of immortality. Joseph Addison secretmindlying 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 crusheasterbirthday Justice is an unassailable fortress, built on the brow of a mountain which cannot be overthrown by the violence of torrents, nor demolished by the force of armies. Joseph Addison hikingarmyjustice Novelty serves us for a kind of refreshment, and takes off from that satiety we are apt to complain of in our usual and ordinary entertainments. Joseph Addison noveltyentertainmentusual Those Marriages generally abound most with Love and Constancy, that are preceded by a long Courtship. Joseph Addison marriageliteraturelong An idol may be undeified by many accidental causes. Marriage, in particular, is a kind of counter apotheosis, as a deification inverted. When a man becomes familiar with his goddess she quickly sinks into a woman. Joseph Addison idolsmaymen Were not this desire of fame very strong, the difficulty of obtaining it, and the danger of losing it when obtained, would be sufficient to deter a man from so vain a pursuit. Joseph Addison strongdesiremen Eternity! thou pleasing dreadful thought! Through what variety of untried being, Through what new scenes and changes must we pass! Joseph Addison varietysceneeternity 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 echoesplayart The unjustifiable severity of a parent is loaded with this aggravation, that those whom he injures are always in his sight. Joseph Addison aggravationparentsight
