Joseph Addison Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old Joseph Addison quotes, Joseph Addison sayings, and Joseph Addison proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.'

I have often reflected within myself on this unaccountable humor in womankind of being smitten with everything that is showy and superficial, and on the numberless evils that befall the sex from this light fantastical disposition. Joseph Addison
True benevolence or compassion, extends itself through the whole of existence and sympathizes with the distress of every creature capable of sensation. Joseph Addison
Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Joseph Addison
If you wish to succeed in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius. Joseph Addison
What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable. Joseph Addison
With regard to donations always expect the most from prudent people, who keep their own accounts. Joseph Addison
I have often thought, it happens very well that Christmas should fall out in the Middle of Winter. Joseph Addison
Plenty of people wish to become devout, but no one wishes to be humble. Joseph Addison
What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable. Joseph Addison
Nature delights in the most plain and simple diet. Joseph Addison
From hence, let fierce contending nations know / What dire effects from civil discord flow. Joseph Addison
Should the whole frame of nature round him break, / In ruin and confusion hurled, / He, unconcerned, would hear the mighty crack, / And stand secure amidst a falling world. Joseph Addison
Unbounded courage and compassion join'd, / Tempering each other in the victor's mind, / Alternately proclaim him good and great, / And make the hero and the man complete. Joseph Addison
Man’s first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart, and next to escape the censures of the world. If the last interfere with the first it should be entirely neglected. But otherwise there cannot be a greater satisfaction to an honest mind than to see its own approbation seconded by the applauses of the public. Joseph Addison
Soon as the evening shades prevail, / The moon takes up the wondrous tale, / And nightly to the listening earth / Repeats the story of her birth. Joseph Addison
Music is the only sensual gratification which mankind may indulge in to excess without injury to their moral and religious feelings. Joseph Addison
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
The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do; something to love and something to hope for. Joseph Addison
If you wish to succeed in life, make perseverance your bosom friend. Joseph Addison
Admiration is a very short-lived passion, that immediately decays upon growing familiar with its object. Joseph Addison
A woman seldom asks advice before she has bought her wedding clothes. Joseph Addison
He who would pass the declining years of his life 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. Joseph Addison
Honor’s a fine imaginary notion, that draws in raw and unexperienced men to real mischiefs. Joseph Addison
When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway, / The post of honor is a private station. Joseph Addison
If you wish success in life make perseverance your bosom friend. Joseph Addison
It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are the more gentle and quiet we become toward the defects of others. Joseph Addison
A true critic ought to dwell rather upon excellencies than imperfections. Joseph Addison
Books are the legacies that a great genius leaves to mankind, which are delivered down from generation to generation, as presents to the posterity of those who are yet unborn. Joseph Addison
We are always doing,' says he, 'something for Posterity, but I would fain see Posterity do something for us.' Joseph Addison
A misery is not to be measured from the nature of the evil, but from the temper of the sufferer. Joseph Addison