When I look upon the tombs of the great, every emotion of envy dies in me; when I read the epitaph of the beautiful, every inordinate desires goes out; when I meet with the grieve of parents upon a tombstone, my heart melts with compassion; when I see the tombs of 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 mindkind. When I read the several dates of the tombs, of some that died yesterday, and some some six hundred years ago, I consider that great Day when we shall all of us be Contemporaries, and make our appearance together.
— Joseph Addison–
