“Some virtues are only seen in affliction and some in prosperity.”

— Joseph Addison, The Spectator, No. 257 (25 December 1711)

About Joseph Addison

1672 – 1719

English essayist, poet and politician, co-founder of 'The Spectator' and author of the tragedy 'Cato' (1713).

“And such a friendship ends not but with life.”

“'Tis not in mortals to command success, but we'll do more, Sempronius; we'll deserve it.”

“True happiness is of a retired nature, and an enemy to pomp and noise.”

“Virtue has her heroes too / As well as Fame and Fortune.”

“Innocence most often is a good fortune and not a virtue.”

“Prosperity is the best protector of principle.”

“Do not try to live for ever. You will not succeed.”

“Fortune leaves always some door open to come at a remedy.”

“The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement!”