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.'

There is a kind of sluggish resignation, as well as poorness and degeneracy of spirit, in a state of slavery, that very few will recover themselves out of it. Joseph Addison
The greatest sweetener of human life is friendship. To raise this to the highest pitch of enjoyment, is a secret which but few discover. Joseph Addison
Animals, in their generation, are wiser than the sons of men; but their wisdom is confined to a few particulars, and lies in a very narrow compass. Joseph Addison
Certain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter. In love to our wives there is desire; to our sons, ambition; but to our daughters there is something which there are no words to express. Joseph Addison
Cheerfulness is the best promoter of health and is as friendly to the mind as to the body. Joseph Addison
Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week. Joseph Addison
A misery is not to be measured from the nature of the evil, but from the temper of the sufferer. Joseph Addison
A contented mind is the greatest blessing a man can enjoy in this world. Joseph Addison
There is nobody so weak of invention that he cannot make up some little stories to vilify his enemy. Joseph Addison
By anticipation we sugar misery and enjoy happiness before they are in being. We can set the sun and stars forward, or lose sight of them by wandering into those retired parts of eternity when the heavens and earth shall be no more. Joseph Addison
When a man has been guilty of any vice or folly, I think the best atonement he can make for it is to warn others not to fall into the like. Joseph Addison
Let freedom never perish in your hands. 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
Jealousy is that pain which a man feels from the apprehension that he is not equally beloved by the person whom he entirely loves. Joseph Addison
Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.  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
Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week. Joseph Addison
Let freedom never perish in your hands. Joseph Addison
A wealthy doctor who can help a poor man, and will not without a fee, has less sense of humanity than a poor ruffian, who kills a rich man to supply his necessities. Joseph Addison
A just and reasonable modesty does not only recommend eloquence, but sets off every great talent which a man can be possessed of. Joseph Addison
Modesty is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue. Joseph Addison
A perfect tragedy is the noblest production of human nature. Joseph Addison
Plenty of people wish to become devout, but no one wishes to be humble. Joseph Addison
Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body. As by the one, health is preserved, strengthened, and invigorated by the other, virtue which is the health of the mind is kept alive, cherished, and confirmed. Joseph Addison
Tradition is an important help to history, but its statements should be carefully scrutinized before we rely on them. Joseph Addison
Men who cherish for women the highest respect are seldom popular with them. Joseph Addison
A contented mind is the greatest blessing a person can enjoy in this world. Joseph Addison
A cloudy day or a little sunshine have as great an influence on many constitutions as the most recent blessings or misfortunes. Joseph Addison
True fortitude is seen in great exploits That justice warrants, and that wisdom guides; And all else is tow'ring phrenzy and distraction. Joseph Addison
The voice of reason is more to be regarded than the bent of any present inclination; since inclination will at length come over to reason, though we can never force reason to comply with inclination. Joseph Addison