To philosopher and historian the madness and imbecile wickedness of mankind ought to appear ordinary events.
Truth is disputable, not human taste.
But I would still reply, that the knavery and folly of men are such common phenomena, that I should rather believe the most extraordinary events to arise from their concurrence, than admit of so signal a violation of the laws of nature.
Nothing endears so much a friend as sorrow for his death. The pleasure of his company has not so powerful an influence.
The more instances we examine, and the more care we employ, the more assurance shall we acquire, that the enumeration, which we form from the whole, is complete and entire.
The gazing populace receive greedily, without examination, whatever soothes superstition and promotes wonder.
The bigotry of theologians is a malady which seems almost incurable.
Heroism, or military glory, is much admired by the generality of mankind. They consider it as the most sublime kind of merit. Menof cool reflection are not so sanguine in their praises of it.
It is a certain rule that wit and passion are entirely incompatible. When the affections are moved, there is no place for the imagination.
Nothing can be more real, or concern us more, than our own sentiments of pleasure and uneasiness; and if these be favourable to virtue and unfavourable to vice, no more can be requisite to the regulation of our conduct and behavior.
The free conversation of a friend is what I would prefer to any environment.
The ages of greatest public spirit are not always eminent for private virtue.
I cannot but bless the memory of Julius Caesar, for the great esteem he expressed for fat men and his aversion to lean ones.
What praise is implied in the simple epithet useful! What reproach in the contrary.
The observation of human blindness and weakness is the result of all philosophy, and meets us at every turn, in spite of our endeavours to elude or avoid it.
But it is a miracle that a dead man should come to life; because that has never been observed in any age or country.
Fine writing, according to Mr. Addison, consists of sentiments which are natural without being obvious.
No human testimony can have such force as to prove a miracle, and make it a just foundation for any such system of religion.
Eloquence, when in its highest pitch, leaves little room for reason or reflection.
Nothing is more favorable to the rise of politeness and learning, than a number of neighboring and independent states, connected together by commerce and policy.