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.

Quote by Joseph Addison

Topics: Joseph Addison Quotes

To be exempt from the passions with which others are tormented, is the only pleasing...

To be exempt from the passions with which others are tormented, is the only pleasing...

What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the soul.

What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the soul.

There is nothing which we receive with so much reluctance as advice.

There is nothing which we receive with so much reluctance as advice.

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.

Mirth is like a flash of lightning, that breaks through a gloom of clouds, and...

Mirth is like a flash of lightning, that breaks through a gloom of clouds, and...

Knowledge is that which, next to virtue, truly raises one person above another.

Knowledge is that which, next to virtue, truly raises one person above another.

Admiration is a very short-lived passion, that immediately decays upon growing familiar with its object.

Admiration is a very short-lived passion, that immediately decays upon growing familiar with its object.

The friendships of the world are oft confederacies in vice, or leagues of pleasures.

The friendships of the world are oft confederacies in vice, or leagues of pleasures.

A man should always consider how much he has more than he wants.

A man should always consider how much he has more than he wants.

Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.

Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.

Through all eternity to thee, a joyful song I'll raise; for oh! Eternity's too short...

Through all eternity to thee, a joyful song I'll raise; for oh! Eternity's too short...

Men may change their climate, but they cannot change their nature. A man that goes...

Men may change their climate, but they cannot change their nature. A man that goes...

When love once pleads admission to our hearts, In spite of all the virtue we...

When love once pleads admission to our hearts, In spite of all the virtue we...

Young men soon give, and soon forget affronts, Old age is slow in both.

Young men soon give, and soon forget affronts, Old age is slow in both.

Nature uses extraordinarily ingenious techniques to avoid conflict and competition, and that cooperation is extraordinarily...

Nature uses extraordinarily ingenious techniques to avoid conflict and competition, and that cooperation is extraordinarily...

Ridicule is generally made use of to laugh men out of virtue and good sense,...

Ridicule is generally made use of to laugh men out of virtue and good sense,...

Jesters do often prove prophets.

Jesters do often prove prophets.

He who would pass his declining years with honor and comfort, should, when young, consider...

He who would pass his declining years with honor and comfort, should, when young, consider...

The brief span of our poor unhappy life to its final hour is hastening on;...

The brief span of our poor unhappy life to its final hour is hastening on;...

Old age is an excellent time for outrage. My goal is to say or do...

Old age is an excellent time for outrage. My goal is to say or do...