--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I read the epitaphs of the…" description: "\"When I read the epitaphs of the beautiful, every inordinate desire goes out; when I meet with the grief of parents upon a tombstone, my heart melts wit..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/joseph-addison-377_astonishment_when-i-read-the-epitaphs-of-the-beautifu_1977352.jpg" --- # When I read the epitaphs of the beautiful, every… ![“When I read the epitaphs of the beautiful, every inordinate desire goes out; when I meet with the grief of parents upon a tombstone, my heart melts with compassion; when I see the tomb of the parents themselves, I consider the vanity of grieving for those whom we must quickly follow: when I see…” quote by Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/joseph-addison-377_astonishment_when-i-read-the-epitaphs-of-the-beautifu_1977352.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/joseph-addison-377_astonishment_when-i-read-the-epitaphs-of-the-beautifu_1977352.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/063/joseph-addison-377_astonishment_when-i-read-the-epitaphs-of-the-beautifu_1977352.jpg) > “When I read the epitaphs of the beautiful, every inordinate desire goes out; when I meet with the grief of parents upon a tombstone, my heart melts with compassion; when I see the tomb of the parents themselves, I consider the vanity of grieving for those whom we must quickly follow: when I see kings lying by those who deposed them, when I consider rival wits placed side by side, or the holy men that divided the world with their contests and disputes, I reflect with sorrow and astonishment on the little competitions, factions, and debates of mankind.” [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. Contemplating mortality reveals the futility of petty conflicts and the universality of human suffering. **In simple terms:** Thinking about death shows how small our disputes are. Key Takeaway Focus on compassion over competition. Themes mortality compassion humanity Mood reflective somber Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - grief counseling - conflict resolution - education - public speaking - writing Key Concepts philosophy ethics existentialism Questions to Reflect On - How does awareness of death change your priorities? - What actions can reduce petty conflicts? A Different Perspective May lead to nihilism if not balanced with meaning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Astonishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astonishment/) [Beautiful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beautiful/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Competition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) [Debate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debate/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Epitaph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/epitaph/) [Grief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grief/) [Grieving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grieving/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Heart melt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart-melt/) [Holy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy/) [Holy man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy-man/) [Kings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kings/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [Rivals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rivals/) [Side by side](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/side-by-side/) [Sorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorrow/) [Vanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vanity/) [Wit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wit/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“When I look upon the tombs of the great, every emotion of envy dies in me; when I read the epitaphs of the beautiful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/when-i-look-upon-the-tombs-of-the-great-every-emotion-of-envy-dies-in/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“When I look upon the tombs of the great, every emotion of envy dies in me; when I read the epitaphs of the beautiful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/when-i-look-upon-the-tombs-of-the-great-every-emotion-of-envy-dies-in-2/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“when I see kings lying by those who deposed them, when I consider rival wits placed side by side, or the holy men that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/when-i-see-kings-lying-by-those-who-deposed-them-when-i-consider/) [Stephen R. 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