In Flowers 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
It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are the more gentle and quiet we become towards the defects of others. – Joseph Addison
The unjustifiable severity of a parent is loaded with this aggravation, that those whom he injures are always in his sight. – Joseph Addison
Mirth is like a flash of lightning, that breaks through a gloom of clouds, and glitters for a moment; cheerfulness keeps up a kind of daylight in the mind, and fills it with a steady and perpetual serenity. – Joseph Addison
To say that authority, whether secular or religious, supplies no ground for morality is not to deny the obvious fact that it supplies a sanction. – Joseph Addison
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
The fear of death often proves mortal, and sets people on methods to save their Lives, which infallibly destroy them. – Joseph Addison
We are always doing something for posterity, but I would fain see posterity do something for us. – Joseph Addison
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
Our real blessings often appear to us in the shape of pains, losses and disappointments; but let us have patience and we soon shall see them in their proper figures. – Joseph Addison
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. – Joseph Addison
Mutability of temper and inconsistency with ourselves is the greatest weakness of human nature. – Joseph Addison
Friendships, in general, are suddenly contracted; and therefore it is no wonder they are easily dissolved. – Joseph Addison
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. – Joseph Addison
It is folly for an eminent man to think of escaping censure, and a weakness to be affected with it. All the illustrious persons of antiquity, and indeed of every age in the world, have passed through this fiery persecution. – 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
Everything that is new or uncommon raises a pleasure in the imagination, because it fills the soul with an agreeable surprise, gratifies its curiosity, and gives it an idea of which it was not before possessed. – Joseph Addison
The chief ingredients in the composition of those qualities that gain esteem and praise, are good nature, truth, good sense, and good breeding. – Joseph Addison
Cheerfulness is the best promoter of health and is as friendly to the mind as to the body. – Joseph Addison
To a man of pleasure every moment appears to be lost, which partakes not of the vivacity of amusement. – Joseph Addison