Joseph Addison

Nothing is more gratifying to the mind of man than power or dominion.

To be perfectly just is an attribute of the divine nature; to be so to the utmost of our abilities, is the glory of man.

To a man of pleasure every moment appears to be lost, which partakes not of the vivacity of amusement.

Among all kinds of Writing, there is none in which Authors are more apt to miscarry than in Works of Humour, as there is none in which they are more ambitious to excel.

Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.

The woman that deliberates is lost.

Those Marriages generally abound most with Love and Constancy, that are preceded by a long Courtship.

The most violent appetites in all creatures are lust and hunger; the first is a perpetual call upon them to propagate their kind, the latter to preserve themselves.

Friendships, in general, are suddenly contracted; and therefore it is no wonder they are easily dissolved.

Modesty is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue.

When men are easy in their circumstances, they are naturally enemies to innovations.

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.

Is there not some chosen curse, some hidden thunder in the stores of heaven, red with uncommon wrath, to blast the man who owes his greatness to his country's ruin!

He who would pass his declining years with honor and comfort, should, when young, consider that he may one day become old, and remember when he is old, that he has once been young.

Mutability of temper and inconsistency with ourselves is the greatest weakness of human nature.

A true critic ought to dwell upon excellencies rather than imperfections, to discover the concealed beauties of a writer, and communicate to the world such things as are worth their observation.

With regard to donations always expect the most from prudent people, who keep their own accounts.

Plenty of people wish to become devout, but no one wishes to be humble.

Admiration is a very short-lived passion, that immediately decays upon growing familiar with its object.

A cloudy day or a little sunshine have as great an influence on many constitutions as the most recent blessings or misfortunes.