--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is no defence against reproach, but…" description: "\"There is no defence against reproach, but obscurity; it is a kind of concomitant to greatness, as satires and invectives were an essential part of a Ro..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/124/joseph-addison-377_censure_there-is-no-defence-against-reproach-but_3112720.png" --- # There is no defence against reproach, but obscurity; it is… ![“There is no defence against reproach, but obscurity; it is a kind of concomitant to greatness, as satires and invectives were an essential part of a Roman triumph.” quote by Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/124/joseph-addison-377_censure_there-is-no-defence-against-reproach-but_3112720.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/124/joseph-addison-377_censure_there-is-no-defence-against-reproach-but_3112720.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/124/joseph-addison-377_censure_there-is-no-defence-against-reproach-but_3112720.png) > “There is no defence against reproach, but obscurity; it is a kind of concomitant to greatness, as satires and invectives were an essential part of a Roman triumph.” [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. Obscurity shields great individuals from criticism; fame invites satire and attack, making anonymity a protective veil. **In simple terms:** Being unknown can protect against harsh judgment. Key Takeaway Weigh the costs of fame versus privacy. Themes fame criticism obscurity greatness Mood thoughtful balanced Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - celebrity life - political leadership - artistic careers - academic publishing Key Concepts public scrutiny reputation management social visibility Questions to Reflect On - Is obscurity always preferable for the talented? - How can public figures manage criticism? A Different Perspective Fame also brings influence and opportunity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Obscurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obscurity/) ## Related quotes > [There is no defense against reproach, but obscurity; it is a kind of concomitant to greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/there-is-no-defense-against-reproach-but-obscurity-it-is-a-kind-of/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/a-man-s-first-care-should-be-to-avoid-the-reproaches-of-his-own-heart-3/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [If men of eminence are exposed to censure on one hand, they are as much liable to flattery on the other. If they receive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/if-men-of-eminence-are-exposed-to-censure-on-one-hand-they-are-as/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [As the malicious disposition of mankind is too well known, and the cruel pleasure which they take in destroying the reputation of others, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/as-the-malicious-disposition-of-mankind-is-too-well-known-and-the/) [Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/) > [What is a miracle?--'Tis a reproach, 'Tis an implicit satire on mankind; And while it satisfies, it censures too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-young/what-is-a-miracle-tis-a-reproach-tis-an-implicit-satire-on-mankind/) [Edward Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-young/) > [Even excessive reproach/censure can make someone resolute for success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohd-aariff-khan/even-excessive-reproach-censure-can-make-someone-resolute-for-success/) [Mohd Aariff Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohd-aariff-khan/) > [A solid and substantial greatness of soul looks down with neglect on the censures and applauses of the multitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/a-solid-and-substantial-greatness-of-soul-looks-down-with-neglect-on/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Plutarch has written an essay on the benefits which a man may receive from his enemies; and among the good fruits of enmity, mentions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/plutarch-has-written-an-essay-on-the-benefits-which-a-man-may-receive/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [I have often met with happiness after some imprudent step which ought to have brought ruin upon me, and although passing a vote of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giacomo-casanova/i-have-often-met-with-happiness-after-some-imprudent-step-which-ought/) [Giacomo Casanova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giacomo-casanova/) > [ “\[M\]an is not permitted without censure to follow his own thoughts in the search of truth, when they lead him ever so little out… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to-follow-his-own-thoughts-in/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [Let such teach others who themselves excel, And censure freely who have written well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/let-such-teach-others-who-themselves-excel-and-censure-freely-who/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Why should we censure Othello when the Criterion Lover says, "Thou shalt have no other Gods before Me"?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/why-should-we-censure-othello-when-the-criterion-lover-says-thou/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [The praise of the envious is far less creditable than their censure; they praise only that which they can surpass, but that which surpasses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/the-praise-of-the-envious-is-far-less-creditable-than-their-censure/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [If there should chance to be any mathematicians who, ignorant in mathematics yet pretending to skill in that science, should dare, upon the authority…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolaus-copernicus/if-there-should-chance-to-be-any-mathematicians-who-ignorant-in/) [Nicolaus Copernicus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolaus-copernicus/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) ## 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 Censure quotes > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [I have often met with happiness after some imprudent step which ought to have brought ruin upon me, and although passing a vote of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giacomo-casanova/i-have-often-met-with-happiness-after-some-imprudent-step-which-ought/) [Giacomo Casanova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giacomo-casanova/) > [Let such teach others who themselves excel, And censure freely who have written well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/let-such-teach-others-who-themselves-excel-and-censure-freely-who/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [ “\[M\]an is not permitted without censure to follow his own thoughts in the search of truth, when they lead him ever so little out… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to-follow-his-own-thoughts-in/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [If there should chance to be any mathematicians who, ignorant in mathematics yet pretending to skill in that science, should dare, upon the authority…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolaus-copernicus/if-there-should-chance-to-be-any-mathematicians-who-ignorant-in/) [Nicolaus Copernicus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolaus-copernicus/) > [The praise of the envious is far less creditable than their censure; they praise only that which they can surpass, but that which surpasses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/the-praise-of-the-envious-is-far-less-creditable-than-their-censure/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [Why should we censure Othello when the Criterion Lover says, "Thou shalt have no other Gods before Me"?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/why-should-we-censure-othello-when-the-criterion-lover-says-thou/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [Assuming that two-thirds of the Senate will not vote to remove the president, what is the alternative? I think we need to explore that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thad-cochran/assuming-that-two-thirds-of-the-senate-will-not-vote-to-remove-the/) [Thad Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thad-cochran/) > [The censure of a dog is something no man can stand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-morley/the-censure-of-a-dog-is-something-no-man-can-stand/) [Christopher Morley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-morley/) > [Dat veniam corvis, vexat censura columbas. - Censure acquits the raven, but pursues the dove.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/dat-veniam-corvis-vexat-censura-columbas-censure-acquits-the-raven/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [John Doyle just knows how to feed actors, and what comes out of us, good, bad, right, wrong, doesn't matter. There's no fear or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-lupone/john-doyle-just-knows-how-to-feed-actors-and-what-comes-out-of-us/) [Patti LuPone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-lupone/) > [The stage I chose--a subject fair and free-- 'Tis yours--'tis mine--'tis public property. All common exhibitions open lie, For praise or censure, to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-churchill/the-stage-i-chose-a-subject-fair-and-free-tis-yours-tis-mine-tis/) [Charles Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-churchill/) > [Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe, Are lost on hearers that our merits know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/praise-from-a-friend-or-censure-from-a-foe-are-lost-on-hearers-that/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [We put together a one-sentence petition asking Congress to censure President Clinton and move on to other pressing issues. We sent it to under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-blades/we-put-together-a-one-sentence-petition-asking-congress-to-censure/) [Joan Blades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-blades/) > [Censure acquits the raven, but pursues the dove.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/censure-acquits-the-raven-but-pursues-the-dove/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) Browse all 183 Censure quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is no defence against reproach, but obscurity; it is a kind of concomitant to greatness, as satires and invectives were an essential part of a Roman triumph.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joseph Addison" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/there-is-no-defence-against-reproach-but-obscurity-it-is-a-kind-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Censure" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/there-is-no-defence-against-reproach-but-obscurity-it-is-a-kind-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/124/joseph-addison-377_censure_there-is-no-defence-against-reproach-but_3112720.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/124/joseph-addison-377_censure_there-is-no-defence-against-reproach-but_3112720.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/124/joseph-addison-377_censure_there-is-no-defence-against-reproach-but_3112720.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is no defence against reproach, but obscurity; it is a kind of concomitant to greatness, as satires…” — 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": "There is no defence against reproach,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/there-is-no-defence-against-reproach-but-obscurity-it-is-a-kind-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/there-is-no-defence-against-reproach-but-obscurity-it-is-a-kind-of/#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 } } ] } ```