writer and politician, remembered as co-founder, with his friend Joseph Addison
, of the magazine The Spectator
.
Steele was born in Dublin, Ireland
in March 1672 to Richard Steele, an attorney, and Elinor Symes (née Sheyles); his sister Katherine was born the previous year. Steele was largely raised by his uncle and aunt, Henry Gascoigne and Lady Katherine Mildmay.
Though her mien carries much more invitation than command, to behold her is an immediate check to loose behavior; to love her is a liberal education.
Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
I am come to a tavern alone to eat a steak, after which I shall return to the office.
I was going home two hours ago, but was met by Mr. Griffith, who has kept me ever since. I will come within a pint of wine.
A little in drink, but at all times yr faithful husband.
The finest woman in nature should not detain me an hour from you; but you must sometimes suffer the rivalship of the wisest men.
When you fall into a man's conversation, the first thing you should consider is, whether he has a greater inclination to hear you, or that you should hear him.
Of all the affections which attend human life, the love of glory is the most ardent.
Age in a virtuous person, of either sex, carries in it an authority which makes it preferable to all the pleasures of youth.
Among all the diseases of the mind there is not one more epidemical or more pernicious than the love of flattery.