{"id":581,"date":"2015-11-15T02:15:42","date_gmt":"2015-11-15T02:15:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/repeatright.com\/engine\/?p=581"},"modified":"2018-10-08T17:50:32","modified_gmt":"2018-10-08T17:50:32","slug":"addison-joseph","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.repeatright.com\/engine\/addison-joseph\/","title":{"rendered":"ADDISON, Joseph"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1453315804311{margin-top: -40px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1449531588223-e020d87d-f7dd094f-cf631dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

\u201cA man\u2019s first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart; his next, to escape the censures of the world.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Joseph Addison<\/strong>, English author & playwright<\/p>\n

\u201cComes jucundus in via pro vehiculo est\u201d (20 July 1711) The Spectator<\/em>, No. 122, reprint in The Works of the Late Right Honourable Joseph Addison<\/em>, Esq.<\/em>, Vol. III, London: Jacob Tonson, 1730, 2nd edition, p. 55; online via Bavarian State Library & Google Books, books.google.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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Extended excerpt <\/em><\/strong>[Contribution to The Spectator<\/em>]:<\/p>\n

Original text <\/u><\/em>[as it appears in cited source. Note that the 1711 text utilizes the archaic \u2018long\u2019 (or \u2018medial\u2019) s<\/em>.]:<\/p>\n

\u201cA Man\u2019s fir\u017ft care \u017fhould be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart; his next, to e\u017fcape the cen\u017fures of the world<\/span>: if the la\u017ft interferes with the former, it ought to be entirely neglected; but otherwi\u017fe there cannot be greater \u017fati\u017ffaction to an hone\u017ft mind, than to \u017fee tho\u017fe approbation which it gives it \u017felf \u017feconded by the applau\u017fes of the publick: A man is more \u017fure of his conduct, when the verdict which he pa\u017f\u017fes upon his own behaviour is thus warranted and confirmed by the opinion of all that know him.\u201d (p. 55)<\/p>\n

Modern text & American spelling<\/u><\/em> [Repeat Right editor]: \u201cA man\u2019s first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart; his next, to escape the censures of the world<\/span>: if the last interferes with the former, it ought to be entirely neglected; but otherwise there cannot be greater satisfaction to an honest mind, than to see those approbation which it gives itself seconded by the applauses of the public: A man is more sure of his conduct, when the verdict which he passes upon his own behavior is thus warranted and confirmed by the opinion of all that know him.\u201d<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” title=”Source Link” tab_id=”1449531589797-29580b31-8c50094f-cf631dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

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Source link<\/em><\/strong><\/span>: The Spectator <\/em>(20 July 1711) reprint in The Works of the Late Right Honourable Joseph Addison<\/em>, Esq.<\/em>, 1730, via Google Books: https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=AHJFAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA55&dq=A+man%E2%80%99s+first+care+should<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1453315829087-ce67c619-0fbc1dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

\u201cContent thyself to be obscurely good.<\/p>\n

When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway,<\/p>\n

The post of honor is a private station.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Joseph Addison<\/strong>, English author & playwright<\/p>\n

Cato, A Tragedy<\/em> (c.1712) Act IV, scene iv,\u00a0Edinburgh: John Wood, p. 52; [first performance: Drury Lane Theatre, London, 14 April 1713], online via Duke University Libraries & Internet Archive, www.archive.org<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-ban” title=”Misattribution” tab_id=”1453315828190-b4d7b461-d58d1dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

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Misattribution note<\/em><\/strong><\/span>: The Internet Archive file page<\/a> for this cited edition of Cato, A Tragedy<\/em> shows a publication date of 1700<\/u>. We believe this is a mistake — although no date appears on the text itself, Addison\u2019s Cato was first published in 1712, and the actor names that appear on page four of the book are from the original cast that performed at the Drury Lane Theater in 1713.<\/p>\n

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Extended excerpt <\/em><\/strong>[Play \u2013 character \u2018Cato\u2019 to son \u2018Portius,\u2019 Senator \u2018Lucius,\u2019 & \u2018Juba, Prince of Numidia\u2019]:<\/p>\n

Original text <\/u><\/em>[as it appears in cited source. Note that the 1700s text includes the archaic \u2018long\u2019 (or \u2018medial\u2019) s<\/em>. \u2013(\u017f<\/strong>)]:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere the great Cen<\/em>\u017f<\/em>or<\/em> toil\u2019d with his own hands,<\/p>\n

And all our frugal ance\u017ftors were ble\u017fs\u2019d<\/p>\n

In humble virtues, and a rural life<\/p>\n

There live retir\u2019d: pray for the peace of Rome<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Content thy\u017felf to be ob\u017fcurely good.<\/span><\/p>\n

When vice prevails, and impious men bear \u017fway,<\/span><\/p>\n

The po\u017ft of honour is a private \u017ftation.<\/span>\u201d (p. 52)<\/p>\n

Modern text & U.S. spelling<\/u><\/em> [Repeat Right editor]:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere the great Censor toiled with his own hands,<\/p>\n

And all our frugal ancestors were blessed<\/p>\n

In humble virtues, and a rural life<\/p>\n

There live retired: pray for the peace of Rome.<\/p>\n

Content thyself to be obscurely good.<\/span><\/p>\n

When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway,<\/span><\/p>\n

The post of honor is a private station<\/span>.\u201d<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” title=”Links” tab_id=”1453315829682-63e8fade-cf4c1dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

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Source link<\/em><\/strong><\/span>: Cato, A Tragedy<\/em> (1712 | c.1713 John Wood edition) online via Internet Archive: https:\/\/archive.org\/stream\/catotragedy00addi#page\/52\/mode\/2up<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1453316221301{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1453315828001-b5e2e52e-ea1e1dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

\u201cC<\/strong>unning is only the mimic of discretion, and may pass upon weak men in the same manner as vivacity is often mistaken for wit, and gravity for wisdom.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Joseph Addison<\/strong>, English author & playwright<\/p>\n

Essay [no title] in The Spectator<\/em> (17 November 1711) No. 225; in volume The Spectator: with a Biographical and Critical Preface, and Explanatory Notes<\/em>, Vol. II, London: Thomas Bosworth, 1854, p. 226; online via National Library of the Netherlands & Google Books, books.google.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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Extended excerpt<\/em><\/strong> [Essay in The Spectator<\/em>]:<\/p>\n

\u201cDiscretion is the perfection of reason, and a guide to us in all the duties of life: cunning is a kind of instinct, that only looks out after our immediate interest and welfare. Discretion is only found in men of strong sense and good understandings: cunning is often to be met with in brutes themselves, and in persons who are but the fewest removes from them. In short, cunning is only the mimic of discretion, and may pass upon weak men in the same manner as vivacity is often mistaken for wit, and gravity for wisdom<\/span>.\u201d (p. 226)<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” title=”Source Link” tab_id=”1453315828572-dac97b48-68e01dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

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Source link<\/em><\/strong><\/span>:\u00a0The Spectator<\/em>, Vol. II (1854 Thomas Bosworth edition) online via Google Books: https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=onxTAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA226&dq=Cunning+is+only+the+mimic+of+discretion,+and+may+pass+upon+weak+men+in+the+same+manner+as+vivacity+is+often+mistaken+for+wit,+and+gravity+for+wisdom<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1449531591105-7edf5f39-feaa094f-cf631dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

\u201cMusic, the greatest good that mortals know,<\/p>\n

And all of heaven we have below.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Joseph Addison<\/strong>, English author & playwright<\/p>\n

\u201cA Song for St. Cecilia\u2019s Day, at Oxford\u201d (c. 1694) stanza III; in The Annual Miscellany: for the Year 1694<\/em>, ed. John Dryden, London: Jacob Tonson, 1708 second edition, p. 51; online via Oxford University & Google Books, books.google.com<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-plus-circle” title=”Context” tab_id=”1449531591631-43861bc7-da28094f-cf631dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

Extended excerpt\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> [Poem for St. Cecilia\u2019s Day, written while Addison was a student of Oxford University. The feast for St. Cecilia \u2013 the patron saint of music \u2013 is traditionally celebrated on November 22nd.]:<\/p>\n

Original text <\/u><\/em>[as it appears in cited source. Note that the 1700s text includes the archaic \u2018long\u2019 (or \u2018medial\u2019) s<\/em>. \u2013(\u017f<\/strong>)]:<\/p>\n

\u201cFor ever Con\u017fecrate the Day,<\/p>\n

To Mu\u017fick and Cecilia<\/em>;<\/p>\n

Mu\u017fick, the greate\u017ft Good that Mortals know,<\/span><\/p>\n

And all of Heav\u2019n we have below.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mu\u017fick can noble hints impart,<\/p>\n

Engender Fury, kindle Love;<\/p>\n

With un\u017fu\u017fpected Eloquence can move,<\/p>\n

And manage all the Man with \u017fecret Art.\u201d (p. 51)<\/p>\n

Modern text & spelling<\/u><\/em> [Poetical Works of Joseph Addison<\/em>, 1859]:<\/p>\n

\u201cFor ever consecrate the day,<\/p>\n

To music and Cecilia;<\/p>\n

Music, the greatest good that mortals know,<\/span><\/p>\n

And all of heaven we have below.<\/span><\/p>\n

Music can noble hints impart,<\/p>\n

Engender fury, kindle love;<\/p>\n

With unsuspected eloquence can move,<\/p>\n

And manage all the man with secret art.\u201d (pp. 23-24)<\/p>\n

[Modern text source<\/em>: \u201cA Song for St. Cecilia\u2019s Day\u201d (c. 1694) stanza III; in The Poetical Works of Joseph Addison; Gay\u2019s Fables; and Somerville\u2019s Chase<\/em>, ed. George Gilfillan, Edinburgh: James Nichol, 1859, p. 23; online via Oxford University & Google Books, books.google.com<\/a>]\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” title=”Source Link” tab_id=”1449531592891-f39e055b-a66e094f-cf631dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

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Source link\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>[Original printing]<\/span>: The Annual Miscellany, for the Year 1694 <\/em>(1708 J. Tonson second edition) online via Google Books: https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=_zAJAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Miscellany+Poems+%2B+1694&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjY3bPtpobaAhXKulMKHW44DEkQ6AEIKTAA#v=onepage&q=Miscellany%20Poems%20%2B%201694&f=false<\/a><\/p>\n

Source link <\/em><\/strong>[More modern, easier-to-read edition]<\/span>: Poetical Works of Joseph Addison<\/em> (1859 James Nichol edition) online via Google Books: https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=F14JAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=Addison+%2B+A+Song+for+St.+Cecilia%E2%80%99s+Day+%2B+And+all+of+heaven+we+have+below<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1453316221301{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1453315828001-b5e2e52e-ea1e1dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Joseph Addison<\/strong>, English author & playwright<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom my own Apartment, March 17\u201d (18 March 1710) The <\/em>Tatler<\/em>, No. 147, London: Richard Steele; reprint in The Tatler, with Notes, and a General Index<\/em>, Philadelphia, PA: J.J. Woodward, 1831, p. 270, column 1; online via University of Michigan & Google Books, books.google.com<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-ban” title=”Misattribution” tab_id=”1453315828190-b4d7b461-d58d1dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text ]\n

Author misattribution<\/strong><\/span><\/em>\u00a0– Author and publisher Richard Steele<\/strong><\/span> printed the first edition of The Tatler<\/em> in April 1709, and was the sole author & publisher of the initial editions of the paper. His friend & former Oxford school-mate Joseph Addison later joined him and contributed to many issues, including No. 147.<\/p>\n

Some sources have attributed the \u201creading is to the mind what exercise is to the body<\/span><\/strong>\u201d quote to Steele. Although no author was listed for the “From my own Apartment, March 17” essay in the original print edition,\u00a0The Tatler<\/em> collection and The Life of Richard Steele<\/em> editor George A. Aitken indicated in his footnotes immediately following the article that \u201cthe preceding portion of this paper was by Addison.\u201d (The Tatler<\/em>, Vol. III, London: Duckworth & Co., 1899, p. 178) Although it’s feasible that Aitken was incorrect, Addison’s name did appear in the byline and most sources in the 1800s also gave him credit for the quote.<\/p>\n

Incorrect date<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/em>-A\u00a0hyphenated year appears in the paper heading of the original Tatler<\/em> and many of the subsequent Tatler<\/em> reprint volumes – including the one cited here. In the issue we cited, the date appears as 18 March 1709-10<\/strong>. A number of books and papers citing this quote have mistakenly translated this publication date as March 18, 1709<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

The first edition of The Tatler<\/em> was printed in\u00a0April 1709 <\/strong>– which means there was no March 1709 edition. So why the confusion?\u00a0\u00a0Until the end of that first year, the month & year 1709 appeared at the top of each page. From January 1710 to March 23, 1710, however,\u00a0 the \u201c1709-10\u201d style was used \u2013 and then beginning 25 March 1710, Steele reverted back to using only the single year in the heading.<\/p>\n

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Extended excerpt<\/em><\/strong> [Essay in The Tatler<\/em>]:<\/p>\n

\u201cReading is to the mind what exercise is to the body<\/span>. As by the one, health is preserved, strengthened, and invigorated; by the other, virtue (which is the health of the mind) is kept alive, cherished and confirmed. But as exercise becomes tedious and painful when we make use of it only as the means of health, so reading is apt to grow uneasy and burdensome, when we apply ourselves to it only for our improvement in virtue.\u201d (p. 270, column 1)<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” title=”Links” tab_id=”1453315828572-dac97b48-68e01dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

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Source link<\/em><\/strong><\/span>:\u00a0The Tatler<\/em>, Vol. III (date) online via Google Books: https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=dEIVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA175&lpg=PA175&dq=Reading+is+to+the+mind+what+exercise+is+to+the+body+%2B+Joseph+Addison+and+Richard+Steele\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1449531591105-7edf5f39-feaa094f-cf631dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

\u201cThere is no greater sign of a general decay of virtue in a nation, than a want of zeal in its inhabitants for the good of their country.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Joseph Addison<\/strong>, English author & playwright<\/p>\n

\u201cOf the Love Which We Owe to our Country\u201d (6 January 1716) Essay No. 5, The Free-Holder, or, Political Essays<\/em>, Glasgow: J. Bryce & D. Paterson, 1752 [eighth edition], p. 25; online via New York Public Library & Internet Archive, www.archive.org<\/a><\/p>\n

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Extended excerpt<\/em><\/strong>: [Political essay. Title appears on The Free-Holder contents page (p. A2)]\n

Original text <\/u><\/em>[as it appears in cited source. Note that the 1700s text includes the archaic \u2018long\u2019 (or \u2018medial\u2019) s<\/em>. \u2013(\u017f<\/strong>)]:<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no greater \u017fign of a general decay of virtue in a nation, than a want of zeal in its inhabitants for the good of their country<\/span>, This generous and publick-\u017fpirited pa\u017f\u017fion has been ob\u017ferved of late years to langui\u017fh and grow cold in this our i\u017fland; where a party of men have made it their bu\u017fine\u017fs to repre\u017fent it as chimerical and romantick, to de\u017ftroy in the minds of the people the \u017fen\u017fe of national glory, and to turn into ridicule our natural and ancient allies, who are united to us by the common intere\u017fts both of religion and policy.\u201d (p. 25)<\/p>\n

Modern text & spelling<\/u><\/em> [The Works of Joseph Addison<\/em>, Vol. III, 1854]:<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no greater sign of a general decay of virtue in a nation, than a want of zeal in its inhabitants for the good of their country,<\/span> This generous and public-spirited passion has been observed of late years to languish and grow cold in this our island; where a party of men have made it their business to represent it as chimerical and romantic, to destroy in the minds of the people the sense of national glory, and to turn into ridicule our natural and ancient allies, who are united to us by the common interests both of religion and policy.\u201d<\/p>\n

[Modern text source<\/em>: Joseph Addison, \u201cOf the Love Which We Owe to our Country\u201d (6 January 1716) No. 5, The Freeholder<\/em>; in The Works of Joseph Addison<\/em>, Vol. III , ed. George Washington Greene, New York: G.P. Putnam & Co., 1854; online via Google Books, books.google.com<\/a>]\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” title=”Source Links” tab_id=”1449531592891-f39e055b-a66e094f-cf631dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

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Source link<\/em><\/strong>: [First volume collection]<\/span>: The Free-Holder, or, Political Essays<\/em> (1752, 8th Bryce & Paterson edition) online via Internet Archive: https:\/\/archive.org\/stream\/freeholderorpol00addigoog#page\/n35\/mode\/2up\/search\/zeal<\/a><\/p>\n

Source link <\/em><\/strong>[Later, easier-to-read edition]<\/span>: The Works of Joseph Addison<\/em>, Vol. III (1854 G.P. Putnam) online via Google Books: https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=Mpc0AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA20&lpg=PA20&dq=There+is+no+greater+sign+of+a+general+decay+of+virtue<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1453316221301{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1453315828001-b5e2e52e-ea1e1dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

\u201cThere is nothing which we receive with so much reluctance as advice.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Joseph Addison<\/strong>, English author & playwright<\/p>\n

Essay [no title] in The Spectator<\/em> (17 October 1712) No. 512, in The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison<\/em>, Vol. II, New York: Harper & Bros., 1845, p. 275, column 1; online via Princeton University & Google Books, books.google.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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Extended excerpt <\/em><\/strong>[Essay in The Spectator<\/em>]:<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is nothing which we receive with so much reluctance as advice.<\/span> We look upon the man who gives it us as offering an affront to our understanding, and treating us like children or idiots. We consider the instruction as an implicit censure, and the zeal which any shows for our good on such an occasion, as a piece of presumption or impertinence.\u201d (p. 275, column 1)<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” title=”Links” tab_id=”1453315828572-dac97b48-68e01dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

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Source link<\/em><\/strong><\/span>:\u00a0The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison<\/em>, Vol. II (1845 Harper & Brothers edition) online via Google Books: https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=8FAyAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA275&dq=There+is+nothing+which+we+receive+with+so+much+reluctance+as+advice<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1449531591105-7edf5f39-feaa094f-cf631dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

“What pity is it<\/p>\n

That we can die but once to serve our country!\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Joseph Addison<\/strong>, English author & playwright<\/p>\n

Cato, A Tragedy<\/em> (1712) Act IV, scene iv,\u00a0Edinburgh: John Wood, c. 1713, p. 52; [first performance: Drury Lane Theatre, London, 14 April 1713], online via Duke University Libraries & Internet Archive, www.archive.org<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-ban” title=”Misattribution” tab_id=”1453315828190-b4d7b461-d58d1dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text<\/p>\n

Misattribution & Re-quote<\/i> Notes<\/b>:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nathan Hale<\/strong><\/span> was a young American soldier and spy who was hanged by the British on 22 September 1775. Popular lore often attributes Hale as uttering last words that closely resemble Addison\u2019s words from Cato<\/em>, though this is probably due to dramatic retellings of his execution \u2013 known contemporary accounts of Hale\u2019s death don\u2019t provide any evidence that he said the words.<\/p>\n

Attributed to Nathan Hale<\/u> (1775, though probably apocryphal): \u201cI only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n

Addison\u2019s line from Cato<\/em><\/u> (1712): \u201cWhat pity is it that we can die but once to serve our country.<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n

Addison\u2019s play Cato<\/em> was widely popular in the United States, so it\u2019s likely that his familiar line simply became embedded into the Revolutionary-era patriotic tale. Addison should receive credit as the original author of the verse.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-plus-circle” title=”Context” tab_id=”1449531591631-43861bc7-da28094f-cf631dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text css_animation=”left-to-right”]<\/span><\/p>\n

Extended excerpt\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> [Play \u2013 character \u2018Cato\u2019 to son \u2018Portius,\u2019 Senator \u2018Lucius,\u2019 & \u2018Juba, Prince of Numidia\u2019]:<\/p>\n

Original text <\/u><\/em>[as it appears in cited source. Note that the 1700s text includes the archaic \u2018long\u2019 (or \u2018medial\u2019) s<\/em>. \u2013(\u017f<\/strong>)]:<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome, my \u017fon! here lay him down,<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 my friends,<\/p>\n

Full in my \u017fight, that I may view at lei\u017fure<\/p>\n

The bloody cor\u017fe, and count tho\u017fe glorious wounds.<\/p>\n

—How beautiful is death, when earn\u2019d by virtue!<\/p>\n

Who would not be that youth! What pity is it<\/span><\/p>\n

That we can die but once to \u017ferve our country!<\/span>\u201d (p. 51)<\/p>\n

Modern text & U.S. spelling<\/u><\/em> [Repeat Right editor]:<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome, my son! here lay him down, my friends,<\/p>\n

Full in my sight, that I may view at leisure<\/p>\n

The bloody corpse, and count those glorious wounds.<\/p>\n

How beautiful is death, when earned by virtue!<\/p>\n

Who would not be that youth! What pity is it<\/span><\/p>\n

That we can die but once to serve our country!<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” title=”Source Link” tab_id=”1449531592891-f39e055b-a66e094f-cf631dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text css_animation=”left-to-right”]\n

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Source link<\/em><\/strong><\/span>:\u00a0Cato, A Tragedy<\/em>\u00a0(1712|c.1713 John Wood edition) online via Internet Archive: https:\/\/archive.org\/stream\/catotragedy00addi#page\/50\/mode\/2up\/search\/How+beautiful<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1453316221301{margin-top: 0px !important;border-top-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” shape=”square” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-book” title=”Citation” tab_id=”1453315828001-b5e2e52e-ea1e1dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

\u201cWhat sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to a human soul.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

~Joseph Addison<\/strong>, English author & playwright<\/p>\n

Essay [no title] in The Spectator<\/em> (6 November 1711) No. 215, in The Spectator: With Notes, and a General Index<\/em>, Vol. I, New York: Samuel Marks [\u201cfrom the London Stereotype Edition\u201d], 1826, p. 281, column 1; online via University of Virginia & Google Books, books.google.com<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-plus-circle” title=”Context” tab_id=”1453315828385-86abfac4-79bf1dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]<\/span><\/p>\n

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Extended excerpt<\/em><\/strong> [Essay in The Spectator<\/em> \u2013 ellipsis not original to text; Repeat Right abbreviated excerpt]:<\/p>\n

\u201cI consider a human soul without education like marble in the quarry, which shows none of its inherent beauties, until the skill of the polisher fetches out the colours, makes the surface shine, and discovers every ornamental cloud, spot, and vein, that runs through the body of it. Education, after the same manner, when it works upon a noble mind, draws out to view every latent virtue and perfection, which without such helps are never able to make their appearance.<\/p>\n

[…] The figure is in the stone, the sculptor only finds it. What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to a human soul.<\/span> The philosopher, the saint, or the hero, the wise, the good, or the great man, very often lie hid and concealed in a plebeian, which a proper education might have disinterred, and have brought to light.\u201d<\/p>\n

(p. 281, column 1)<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-search” title=”Source Link” tab_id=”1453315828572-dac97b48-68e01dbb-e35c” add_icon=”true”][vc_column_text]\n

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Source link<\/em><\/strong><\/span>:\u00a0The Spectator: With Notes, and a General Index<\/em> (1826 Samuel Marks edition) online via Google Books: https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=bw1EAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA281&dq=What+sculpture+is+to+a+block+of+marble,+education+is+to+a+human+soul<\/a><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n

Resources<\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=”bottom-to-top” el_class=”Wrapper-Author-Resources”]Learn more about Joseph Addison<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0| Here are a few good places to start:<\/p>\n