"A just and reasonable modesty does not only recommend eloquence, but sets off every great talent which a man can be possessed of."

Life

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Insight & Reflection

This reflection on life by Joseph Addison resonates across generations. It highlights a fundamental truth about human nature: our continuous search for meaning in life is what ultimately defines our character and our path forward.

About Joseph Addison

Joseph Addison was a British writer and politician. He was the eldest son of Lancelot Addison. His name is usually remembered alongside that of his long-standing friend Richard Steele, with whom he founded The Spectator magazine. His simple prose style marked the end of the mannerisms and conventional classical images of the 17th century. Addison is also famous for his play Cato, a Tragedy, written in 1712.

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Editorial Note: This quote is curated and fact-checked by the Quotes Archive Editorial Team. Verified Literature Specialist.

More by Joseph Addison

"To be an atheist requires an indefinitely greater measure of faith than to recieve all the great truths which atheism would deny."

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"The river of time washes away kings and empires, leaving only virtue intact. This remains the cornerstone of personal mastery — an essential principle for the reflective life."

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"Serenity begins the moment you cease demanding that the external world conform. Reflect upon this whenever doubt clouds your horizon — an essential principle for the reflective life."

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