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Quote by Joseph Addison

“An opera may be allowed to be extravagantly lavish in its decorations, as its only design is to gratify the senses and keep up an indolent attention in the audience.”

Book:The spectator

Work

The spectator

The Spectator is a renowned publication known for its insightful essays and social commentary. It was established in the 18th century and has since become a significant part of English literature, offering readers a glimpse into the cultural and intellectual climate of its time. more

Author

Joseph Addison

Joseph Addison, born on May 1, 1672, and died on June 17, 1719, was an influential English essayist, dramatist, and poet. He is known for his elegant prose style and his co-authorship of the magazine 'The Spectator' with Richard Steele. more

“Advertisements are of great use to the vulgar. First of all, as they are instruments of ambition. A man that is by no means big enough for the Gazette, may easily creep into the advertisements; by which means we often see an apothecary in the same paper of news with a plenipotentiary, or a running footman with an ambassador.”

Men Firsts May Mean Enough Use Bigs Running Paper Ambition News Instruments Advertising Journalism Vulgar Creeps Ambassadors Advertisements Apothecary

Book:The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison

Source: The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison

“Hope calculates its scenes for a long and durable life; presses forward to imaginary points of bliss; and grasps at impossibilities; and consequently very often ensnares men into beggary, ruin and dishonor.”

Men Long Hope Scene Presses Ruins Bliss Imaginary Impossibility Dishonor Beggary

Book:The spectator

Source: The spectator

“I always rejoice when I see a tribunal filled with a man of an upright and inflexible temper, who in the execution of his country's laws can overcome all private fear, resentment, solicitation, and even pity itself.”

Men Country Justice Filled Temper Rejoice Execution Tribunals

Book:Works, including the whole contents of Bp. Hurd's edition: withletters and other pieces not found in any previous collection; and Macaulay's essay on his life and works

Source: Works, including the whole contents of Bp. Hurd's edition: withletters and other pieces not found in any previous collection; and Macaulay's essay on his life and works

“Words, when well chosen, have so great a force in them, that a description often gives us more lively ideas than the sight of things themselves.”

Giving Wells Ideas Force Sight Chosen Description Lively

Book:The spectator

Source: The spectator

“The circumstance which gives authors an advantage above all these great masters, is this, that they can multiply their originals; or rather, can make copies of their works, to what number they please, which shall be as valuable as the originals themselves.”

Giving Numbers Masters Circumstances Please Advantage Originals Valuable Copies Authorship

Book:The spectator

Source: The spectator

“The Senate is a body of old men charged with high duties and misdemeanors.”

Men Body Duty Congress Old Man Senate Misdemeanors

Author:Ambrose Bierce

“Impiety. Your irreverence toward my deity.”