It generally takes its rise either from an ill-will to mankind, a private inclination to make ourselves esteemed, an ostentation of wit, and vanity of being thought in the secrets of the world; or from a desire of gratifying any of these dispositions of mind in those persons with whom we converse.
Joseph AddisonOne should take good care not to grow too wise for so great a pleasure of life as laughter.
Joseph AddisonMy voice is still for war. Gods! can a Roman senate long debate Which of the two to choose, slavery or death?
Joseph AddisonOne would fancy that the zealots in atheism would be exempt from the single fault which seems to grow out of the imprudent fervor of religion. But so it is, that irreligion is propagated with as much fierceness and contention, wrath and indignation, as if the safety of mankind depended upon it.
Joseph Addison