Unbounded courage and compassion join'd, Tempering each other in the victor's mind, Alternately proclaim him good and great, And make the hero and the man complete.
Joseph AddisonRead
Is there not some chosen curse, some hidden thunder in the stores of heaven, red with uncommon wrath, to blast the man who owes his greatness to his country's ruin!
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses disdain for those who achieve greatness at the expense of their country and its people.
Joseph Addison's quote highlights the moral corruption of individuals who climb the ladder of success by betraying their nation. It suggests that there are unseen consequences, possibly divine retribution, for those who exploit the misfortunes of their homeland to gain power and prestige, emphasizing the idea that true greatness should not come from the suffering of others.
Themes
GreatnessBetrayalCountryMoralityConsequences
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on patriotism, this quote could emphasize the importance of integrity over personal gain.
More from Joseph Addison
All quotes βGood nature is more agreeable in conversation than wit and gives a certain air to the countenance which is more amiable than beauty.
Joseph AddisonRead
Ridicule is generally made use of to laugh men out of virtue and good sense, by attacking everything praiseworthy in human life.
Joseph AddisonRead
Admiration is a very short lived passion that immediately decays upon growing familiar with its object, unless it still be fed with fresh discoveries, and kept alive by a new perpetual succession of miracles rising up to its view.
Joseph AddisonRead
It is impossible for us, who live in the latter ages of the world, to make observations in criticism, morality, or in any art or science, which have not been touched upon by others. We have little else left us but to represent the common sense of mankind in more strong, more beautiful, or more uncommon lights.
Joseph AddisonRead
An ostentatious man will rather relate a blunder or an absurdity he has committed, than be debarred from talking of his own dear person.
Joseph AddisonRead
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