--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A good disposition is more valuable than…" description: "\"A good disposition is more valuable than gold, for the latter is the gift of fortune, but the former is the dower of nature.\" — Joseph Addison" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fb/joseph-addison-377_disposition_a-good-disposition-is-more-valuable-than_3031803.png" --- # A good disposition is more valuable than gold, for the… ![“A good disposition is more valuable than gold, for the latter is the gift of fortune, but the former is the dower of nature.” quote by Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fb/joseph-addison-377_disposition_a-good-disposition-is-more-valuable-than_3031803.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fb/joseph-addison-377_disposition_a-good-disposition-is-more-valuable-than_3031803.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fb/joseph-addison-377_disposition_a-good-disposition-is-more-valuable-than_3031803.png) > “A good disposition is more valuable than gold, for the latter is the gift of fortune, but the former is the dower of nature.” [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A good temperament is more valuable than wealth, because character is innate while riches are fleeting. **In simple terms:** Character outweighs wealth. Key Takeaway Cultivate virtue over riches. Themes character virtue wealth nature Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal development - financial decisions - leadership - relationships Key Concepts moral philosophy human nature Questions to Reflect On - What habits can you develop to strengthen your character? - How do you balance material needs with moral values? A Different Perspective Wealth can still provide security and opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fortune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fortune/) [Gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gold/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [It is a dear and lovely disposition, and a most valuable one, that can brush away indignities and discourtesies and seek and find the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/it-is-a-dear-and-lovely-disposition-and-a-most-valuable-one-that-can/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Good culture is born of a good disposition; and since the cause is more to be praised than the effect, I will rather praise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/good-culture-is-born-of-a-good-disposition-and-since-the-cause-is/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [A good disposition is a virtue in itself, and it is lasting; the burden of the years cannot depress it, and love that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/a-good-disposition-is-a-virtue-in-itself-and-it-is-lasting-the-burden/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [High birth is a gift of fortune which should never challenge esteem towards those who receive it, since it costs them neither study nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/high-birth-is-a-gift-of-fortune-which-should-never-challenge-esteem/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [A happy marriage is still the greatest treasure within the gift of fortune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eden-phillpotts/a-happy-marriage-is-still-the-greatest-treasure-within-the-gift-of/) [Eden Phillpotts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eden-phillpotts/) > [“If it is better to be happy as a result of one's own exertions than by the gift of fortune, it is reasonable to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/if-it-is-better-to-be-happy-as-a-result-of-one-s-own-exertions-than/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [It might be argued, that to be a knave is the gift of fortune, but to play the fool to advantage it is necessary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/it-might-be-argued-that-to-be-a-knave-is-the-gift-of-fortune-but-to/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [To be a well-flavored man is the gift of fortune, but to write or read comes by nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/to-be-a-well-flavored-man-is-the-gift-of-fortune-but-to-write-or-read/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [To be a well-favoured man is the gift of fortune; but to write and read comes by nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/to-be-a-well-favoured-man-is-the-gift-of-fortune-but-to-write-and/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [To be a well-favored man is the gift of fortune, but to write or read comes by nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/to-be-a-well-favored-man-is-the-gift-of-fortune-but-to-write-or-read/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Silver is sometimes more valuable than gold ... that is, in large quantities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/silver-is-sometimes-more-valuable-than-gold-that-is-in-large/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“2)      In the 1600s, tulips were more valuable than gold in Holland”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-anderson/2-in-the-1600s-tulips-were-more-valuable-than-gold-in-holland/) [Adam Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-anderson/) > [What more valuable than Gold? Diamonds. Than Diamonds? Virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/what-more-valuable-than-gold-diamonds-than-diamonds-virtue/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I have had a front row seat to observe Darren's success over the last few years and never fully knew the keys to his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/i-have-had-a-front-row-seat-to-observe-darren-s-success-over-the-last/) [Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/) > [“Our children weigh hard on my heart, and thinking about them growing up honest and healthy, or just living to grow up at all,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-e-turner/our-children-weigh-hard-on-my-heart-and-thinking-about-them-growing/) [Nancy E. Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-e-turner/) ## More by Joseph Addison > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/every-wife-ought-to-answer-for-her-man-if-the-husband-be-engaged-in-a/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [There is nothing touches our imagination so much as a beautiful woman in a plain dress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/there-is-nothing-touches-our-imagination-so-much-as-a-beautiful-woman/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [We are always doing something for posterity, but I would fain see posterity do something for us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/we-are-always-doing-something-for-posterity-but-i-would-fain-see/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Female Virtues are of a Domestick turn. The Family is the proper Province for Private Women to Shine in. If they must be showing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/female-virtues-are-of-a-domestick-turn-the-family-is-the-proper/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [As addictions go, reading is among the cleanest, easiest to feed, happiest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/as-addictions-go-reading-is-among-the-cleanest-easiest-to-feed/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [There is no society or conversation to be kept up in the world without good-nature, or something which must bear its appearance and supply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/there-is-no-society-or-conversation-to-be-kept-up-in-the-world/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [When love once pleads admission to our hearts, In spite of all the virtue we can boast, The woman that deliberates is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/when-love-once-pleads-admission-to-our-hearts-in-spite-of-all-the/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Many actions calculated to procure fame are not conducive to ultimate happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/many-actions-calculated-to-procure-fame-are-not-conducive-to-ultimate/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [T is liberty crowns Britannia's Isle, And makes her barren rocks and her bleak mountains smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/t-is-liberty-crowns-britannia-s-isle-and-makes-her-barren-rocks-and/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/reading-is-a-basic-tool-in-the-living-of-a-good-life/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [The moral perfections of the Deity, the more attentively, we consider, the more perfectly still shall we know them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/the-moral-perfections-of-the-deity-the-more-attentively-we-consider/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [The utmost we can hope for in this world is contentment; if we aim at anything higher, we shall meet with nothing but grief…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/the-utmost-we-can-hope-for-in-this-world-is-contentment-if-we-aim-at/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Courage that grows from constitution often forsakes a man when he has occasion for it; courage which arises from a sense of duty acts;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/courage-that-grows-from-constitution-often-forsakes-a-man-when-he-has/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [The most skillful flattery is to let a person talk on, and be a listener.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/the-most-skillful-flattery-is-to-let-a-person-talk-on-and-be-a/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) [Explore all 620 Joseph Addison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) ## More Disposition quotes > [Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/every-wife-ought-to-answer-for-her-man-if-the-husband-be-engaged-in-a/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [I take up the standpoint that the tendency to aggression is an innate, independent, instinctual disposition in man, and I come back now to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/i-take-up-the-standpoint-that-the-tendency-to-aggression-is-an-innate/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [The world around us is an increasingly hostile and sinful place. Occasionally that splashes onto us, and perhaps, in the case of a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-world-around-us-is-an-increasingly-hostile-and-sinful-place/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Jane had that happy disposition which would like to imagine that every one really wishes the well-being of his neighbour and struggles, though sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-bottome/jane-had-that-happy-disposition-which-would-like-to-imagine-that/) [Phyllis Bottome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-bottome/) > [Forget the noose. Forget the Iron Maiden. Forget the electric chair or the guillotine. The mind was mankind's most painful torture chamber, the blessed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiffanie-debartolo/forget-the-noose-forget-the-iron-maiden-forget-the-electric-chair-or/) [Tiffanie DeBartolo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiffanie-debartolo/) > [Being a Catholic, I was drawn to the mystery of the Latin and the smoke and the mirrors and all of that. That part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sarandon/being-a-catholic-i-was-drawn-to-the-mystery-of-the-latin-and-the/) [Susan Sarandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sarandon/) > [Thence, I suppose, my natural disposition to make fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always for a good reason, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giacomo-casanova/thence-i-suppose-my-natural-disposition-to-make-fresh-acquaintances/) [Giacomo Casanova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giacomo-casanova/) > [I am still determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-washington/i-am-still-determined-to-be-cheerful-and-happy-in-whatever-situation/) [Martha Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-washington/) > [True humanity consists not in a squeamish ear; it consists not in starting or shrinking at tales of misery, but in a disposition of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-james/true-humanity-consists-not-in-a-squeamish-ear-it-consists-not-in/) [Charles James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-james/) > [There are petty-minded people who cannot endure to be reminded of their ignorance because, since they are usually quite blind to all things, quite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-de-souvre-marquise-de-sable/there-are-petty-minded-people-who-cannot-endure-to-be-reminded-of/) [Madeleine de Souvre, marquise de Sable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-de-souvre-marquise-de-sable/) > [If my ruling disposition is self-interest, I perceive that everything that happens to me is always for or against my self-interest; if, on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/if-my-ruling-disposition-is-self-interest-i-perceive-that-everything/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [And I saw for the first time how, despite the isolation of our own lives, we are always connected to our ancestors; our bodies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyson-richman/and-i-saw-for-the-first-time-how-despite-the-isolation-of-our-own/) [Alyson Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyson-richman/) > [All acts suppose certain dispositions, and habits of mind and heart, which may be in themselves states of enjoyment or of wretchedness, and which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/all-acts-suppose-certain-dispositions-and-habits-of-mind-and-heart/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [You can't let your personal disposition be dictated by the world around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-graffin/you-can-t-let-your-personal-disposition-be-dictated-by-the-world/) [Greg Graffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-graffin/) > [With a basic understanding of all humans as brothers and sisters, we can appreciate the usefulness of different systems and ideologies that can accommodate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/with-a-basic-understanding-of-all-humans-as-brothers-and-sisters-we/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) Browse all 629 Disposition quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A good disposition is more valuable than gold, for the latter is the gift of fortune, but the former is the dower of nature.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joseph Addison" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/a-good-disposition-is-more-valuable-than-gold-for-the-latter-is-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Disposition" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/a-good-disposition-is-more-valuable-than-gold-for-the-latter-is-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fb/joseph-addison-377_disposition_a-good-disposition-is-more-valuable-than_3031803.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fb/joseph-addison-377_disposition_a-good-disposition-is-more-valuable-than_3031803.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fb/joseph-addison-377_disposition_a-good-disposition-is-more-valuable-than_3031803.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A good disposition is more valuable than gold, for the latter is the gift of fortune, but the former is the…” — Joseph Addison", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joseph Addison", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A good disposition is more valuable...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/a-good-disposition-is-more-valuable-than-gold-for-the-latter-is-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/a-good-disposition-is-more-valuable-than-gold-for-the-latter-is-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```