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

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

Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week.
Joseph Addison

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. - 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

A contented mind is the greatest blessing a man can enjoy in this world.
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

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

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

Better to die ten thousand deaths than wound my honor.
Joseph Addison

Jesters do often prove prophets.
Joseph Addison

To be an atheist requires an indefinitely greater measure of faith than to recieve all the great truths which atheism would deny.
Joseph Addison

Plenty of people wish to become devout, but no one wishes to be humble.
Joseph Addison

The stars shall fade away, the sun himself Grow dim with age, and nature sink in years, But thou shalt flourish in immortal youth, Unhurt amidst the wars of elements, The wrecks of matter, and the crush of worlds.
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

No oppression is so heavy or lasting as that which is inflicted by the perversion and exorbitance of legal authority.
Joseph Addison

Is there not some chosen curse, some hidden thunder in the stores of heaven, red with uncommon wrath, to blast the man who owes his greatness to his country's ruin!
Joseph Addison

A woman seldom asks advice before she has bought her wedding clothes.
Joseph Addison

Their is no defense against criticism except obscurity.
Joseph Addison

Suspicion is not less an enemy to virtue than to happiness; he that is already corrupt is naturally suspicious, and he that becomes suspicious will quickly be corrupt.
Joseph Addison

Modesty is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue.
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

Cheerfulness is the best promoter of health and is as friendly to the mind as to the body.
Joseph Addison

True happiness arises, in the first place, from the enjoyment of one's self, and in the next, from the friendship and conversation of a few select companions.
Joseph Addison

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