Joseph Addison

Were not this desire of fame very strong, the difficulty of
obtaining it, and the danger of losing it read more

Were not this desire of fame very strong, the difficulty of
obtaining it, and the danger of losing it when obtained, would be
sufficient to deter a man from so vain a pursuit.

The friendships of the world are oft
Confederacies in vice, or leagues of pleasure;
Ours has severest read more

The friendships of the world are oft
Confederacies in vice, or leagues of pleasure;
Ours has severest virtue for its basis,
And such a friendship ends not but with life.

The man who will live above his present circumstances, is in great danger of soon living beneath them; or as read more

The man who will live above his present circumstances, is in great danger of soon living beneath them; or as the Italian proverb says, "The man that lives by hope, will die by despair.".

Great Pompey's shade complains that we are slow,
And Scipio's ghost walks unavenged amongst us!

Great Pompey's shade complains that we are slow,
And Scipio's ghost walks unavenged amongst us!

But silence never shows itself to so great an advantage, as when
it is made the reply to calumny read more

But silence never shows itself to so great an advantage, as when
it is made the reply to calumny and defamation, provided that we
give no just occasion for them.