Name: Cato
Author: Joseph Addison

A short chain of dark and gold links, a separate gold link and a dried rose on a pale blue surface. — Original artwork

A day, an hour, of virtuous liberty Is worth a whole eternity in bondage.

Joseph Addison

A cracked oval mirror stands beside wilted roses, a small lidded jar and pale lace on a dusty rose surface. — Original artwork

Beauty soon grows familiar to the lover, Fades in his eye, and palls upon the sense.

Joseph Addison

A sparkling silver-blue star floats above a glass bowl of copper-coloured coins, with more coins scattered on the dark surface. — Original artwork

Blesses his stars and thinks it luxury.

Joseph Addison

A wilted leafy wreath hangs over the back of an empty wooden chair in a dim olive-and-brown room. — Original artwork

Curse all his virtues! they 've undone his country.

Joseph Addison

A glass marble rests above a coil of nested copper rings against a violet background. — Original artwork

Eternity! thou pleasing, dreadful thought!

Joseph Addison

Two tin cans linked by a badly frayed string on a dark olive background. — Original artwork

From hence, let fierce contending nations know What dire effects from civil discord flow.

Joseph Addison

Painterly two toy soldiers on scorched ground, one standing and one fallen, beneath a smoky sky. — Original artwork

My voice is still for war. Gods! can a Roman senate long debate Which of the two to choose, slavery or death?

Joseph Addison

A small gold trophy rests on a rumpled cream pillow in warm morning light. — Original artwork

Sweet are the slumbers of the virtuous man.

Joseph Addison

A single orange feather floats above an opening of warm dawn light in a dark cloudy sky. — Original artwork

The dawn is overcast, the morning lowers, And heavily in clouds brings on the day, The great, the important day, big with the fate Of Cato and of Rome.

Joseph Addison

A small freestanding pale-blue door slightly open to a strip of starry violet on a sandy plain. — Original artwork

The woman that deliberates is lost.

Joseph Addison

Thy steady temper, Portius, Can look on guilt, rebellion, fraud, and C

Joseph Addison

A small desk and chair beneath a glowing lamp, with paper, a pen and a dark coat hanging beside them against deep blue. — Original artwork

Thy steady temper, Portius, Can look on guilt, rebellion, fraud, and Cæsar, In the calm lights of mild philosophy.

Joseph Addison

A bronze balance holds a glass sphere and folded navy ribbon atop a pale marble slab. — Original artwork

‘Tis not in mortals to command success; but we’ll do more, Sempronius, we’ll deserve it.

Joseph Addison

Three carved theatrical masks in black, charcoal and pale grey show different degrees of frowning against slate. — Original artwork

'T 's pride, rank pride, and haughtiness of soul; I think the Romans call it stoicism.

Joseph Addison

A loose wreath of pink roses includes a bud, an open flower and a fading bloom with green leaves against navy. — Original artwork

Were you with these, my prince, you 'd soon forget The pale, unripened beauties of the north.

Joseph Addison

A worn combat boot stands beside a folded blue flag patterned with white stars on bare earth. — Original artwork

What a pity is it That we can die but once to save our country!

Joseph Addison

A wooden office stamp stands beside a plain bronze medal on an olive-green surface. — Original artwork

When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway, The post of honour is a private station.

Joseph Addison