One should take good care not to grow too wise for so great a pleasure of life as laughter. – Joseph Addison
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
There is not, in my opinion, anything more mysterious in nature than this instinct in animals, which thus rise above reason, and yet fall infinitely short of it. – Joseph Addison
Young people soon give, and forget insults, but old age is slow in both. – Joseph Addison
Our disputants put me in mind of the cuttlefish that, when he is unable to extricate himself, blackens the water about him till he becomes invisible. – Joseph Addison
True happiness is of a retired nature, and an enemy to pomp and noise; it arises, in the first place, from the enjoyment of ones self, and in the next from the friendship and conversation of a few select companions. – Joseph Addison
We are always doing, says he, something for posterity, but I would see posterity do something for us. – Joseph Addison
Better to die ten thousand deaths than wound my honor. – Joseph Addison
The post of honor is a private station. – Joseph Addison
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
What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along lifes pathway, the good they do is inconceivable. – Joseph Addison
What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to an human soul. – Joseph Addison
See in what peace a Christian can die. – Joseph Addison
Their is no defense against criticism except obscurity. – Joseph Addison
Mere bashfulness without merit is awkwardness. – Joseph Addison
There is nothing that makes its way more directly to the soul than beauty. – Joseph Addison
If men would consider not so much wherein they differ, as wherein they agree, there would be far less of uncharitableness and angry feeling. – Joseph Addison
Arguments out of a pretty mouth are unanswerable. – Joseph Addison
Good nature is more agreeable in conversation than wit and gives a certain air to the countenance which is more amiable than beauty. – Joseph Addison
The circumstance which gives authors an advantage above all these great masters, is this, that they can multiply their originals; or rather, can make copies of their works, to what number they please, which shall be as valuable as the originals themselves. – Joseph Addison
