"There is no greater sign of a general decay of virtue in a nation, than a want of zeal in its inhabitants for the good of their country."

Joseph Addison Politics See all quotes by Joseph Addison →

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“Joseph Addison page at San Antonio College”

“A man that has a taste of music, painting, or architecture, is like one that has another sense, when compared with such as have no relish of those arts.”

“There is nothing more requisite in business than dispatch.”

“Sir Roger made several reflections on the greatness of the British Nation; as, that one Englishman could beat three Frenchmen; that we could never be in danger of Popery so long as we took care of our fleet; that the Thames was the noblest river in Europe...with many other honest prejudices which naturally cleave to the heart of a true Englishman.”

“I shall endeavor to enliven morality with wit, and to temper wit with morality.”

“Arguments out of a pretty mouth are unanswerable.”

Resonant Thoughts

"The infinite, absolute character of Virtue has passed into a finite, conditional one; it is no longer a worship of the Beautiful and Good; but a calculation of the Profitable."

— Thomas Carlyle

Philosophy1795–1881

#ethics

"Virtue has great power, but not if it is imposed – only when it is chosen."

— Dinesh D'Souza

Literature1961

#ethics

"he liked lofty moral principle and cared little for political tactics; he felt a profound respect for Sumner himself; but the shock opened a chasm in life that never closed, and as long as life lasted…"

— Henry Adams

Politics1838–1918

#ethics

"We are here as local information harvesters, local problem-solvers in support of the integrity of eternally regenerative Universe. The fact that we get away from physical problems doesn't mean we go a…"

— Buckminster Fuller

Philosophy1895–1983

#ethics