Better man Quote by Joseph Addison
“Why will any man be so impertinently officious as to tell me all prospect of a future state is only fancy and delusion? Is there any merit in being the messenger of ill news. If it is a dream, let me enjoy it, since it makes me both the happier and better man.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Spectator, 1711
The speaker questions authority and embraces hopeful dreams, finding joy and moral improvement in imagined futures.
In simple terms: Dreams can uplift and improve us.
Key Takeaway
Allow hopeful visions to guide you.
Themes
hope
authority
self‑improvement
Mood
contemplative
inspirational
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- psychotherapy
- goal setting
Key Concepts
dream analysis
philosophical skepticism
personal growth
Questions to Reflect On
- What role do dreams play in your decisions?
- How do you balance optimism with practicality?
A Different Perspective
Dreams may distract from reality.
![“Forgive me if, in friendship’s way, I offer thee a wreath of May… [N]ourished by the dews of heaven… So I have Ivy placed between, To prove that worth is ever green. The little blue Forget-me-not... Spring’s messenger in every spot, Smiling on all—"Remember me!” quote by John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/90f/john-clare-9982_blue_forgive-me-if-in-friendship-s-way-i-offe_142949.jpg)
