“A man's first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart; his next to escape the censures of the world”

— Joseph Addison

Context: A man's first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart; his next to escape the censures of the world: if the last interferes with the former, it ought to be entirely neglected; but otherwise there cannot be a greater satisfaction to an honest mind, than to see those approbations 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 behaviour is thus warranted and confirmed by the opinion of all that know him.

On "Sir Roger", in The Spectator No. 122 (20 July 1711).

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Joseph Addison 226

politician, writer and playwright 1672–1719

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“A man's first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart; his next to escape the censures of the world”

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