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
Ridicule is generally made use of to laugh men out of virtue and good sense, by attacking everything praiseworthy in human life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Ridicule is used to undermine virtue and morality by mocking what is commendable in humanity.
In this quote, Joseph Addison suggests that ridicule can be a powerful tool used to detract from what is good and virtuous in people. When remarkable qualities and moral values are attacked through mockery, it can persuade others to disregard these virtues, leading to a society that undervalues strength of character and wisdom in favor of superficial humor and cynicism.
Themes
RidiculeVirtueMockeryHuman LifeMorality
In practice
Example use cases
Referencing this quote during a discussion on the impact of social media on societal values.
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
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
There 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.
Joseph AddisonRead
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