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The spectator

Book by Joseph Addison · 50 quotes · Men, Persons, Kind

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The spectator Quotes

“Compassion does not only refine and civilize human nature, but has something in it more pleasing and agreeable, than what can be met with in such an indolent happiness, such an indifference to mankind, as that in which the stoics placed their wisdom. As love is the most delightful passion, pity is nothing else but love softened by a degree of sorrow: In short, it is a kind of pleasing anguish, anguish as well as generous sympathy, that knits mankind together, and blends them in the same common lot.”

HumansWellsKindDoeTogetherPassionLove IsCommonCompassionMankindHuman NatureSorrowMetsDegreesPityIndifferenceGenerousAnguishDelightful
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“It is impossible for us, who live in the latter ages of the world, to make observations in criticism, morality, or in any art or science, which have not been touched upon by others. We have little else left us but to represent the common sense of mankind in more strong, more beautiful, or more uncommon lights.”

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“It is a celebrated thought of Socrates, that if all the misfortunes of mankind were cast into a public stock, in order to be equally distributed among the whole species, those who now think themselves the most unhappy would prefer the share they are already possessed of, before that which would fall to them by such a division. [as they realise their problems could be worse!]”

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“Our forefathers looked upon nature with more reverence and horror, before the world was enlightened by learning and philosophy, and loved to astonish themselves with the apprehensions of witchcraft, prodigies, charms, and inchantments. There was not a village in England that had not a ghost in it, the church-yards were all haunted, every large common had a circle of fairies belonging to it, and there was scarce a shepherd to be met with who had not seen a spirit.”

WorldPhilosophySpiritChurchCommonMetsHorrorEnglandCirclesGhostCharmFairyEnlightenedBelongingVillageReverenceYardsWitchcraftScarceShepherdsApprehensionForefathersProdigies
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