"A true critic ought to dwell rather upon excellencies than imperfections, to discover the concealed beauties of a writer, and communicate to the world such things as are worth their observation."

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 special benefits of jihād that accrue to the martyrs of the true faith, the Muslim ghazis, mighty rulers and brave warriors are indescribable. Jihād enables spiritualistic Sufis to rise to the po…"

— Syed Ahmad Barelvi

Military1786–1831

#war

"Distrust grows out of lies. Wrong-doing grows out of distrust. Tragedy grows out of wrong-doing. But out of honesty grows love and love's so powerful, it'll be like a suit of armour, protecting Robert…"

— Susan Howatch

Literature1940

#truth

"I am sick of the governessy attitude of our age, which is coming to be more genuinely presumptuous, nosier and more busybody than the Victorian."

— Elizabeth Bowen

Literature1899–1973

#truth

"Now, there is one set of market forces, supremely important to Britain, which lie outside the reach of even a Socialist government. These are world market forces. Whatever government we have in this c…"

— Enoch Powell

Politics1912–1998

#politics