Zeal for the public good is the characteristic of a man of honour, and a gentleman, and must take place of pleasures, profits, and all other private gratifications. Whoever wants this motive is an open enemy, or an inglorious neuter to mankind, in proportion to the misapplied advantages with which nature and fortune have blessed him.

Richard Steele (1672–1729) Anglo-Irish writer, journalist, playwright, politician

Letter (1713) to William Pulteney, Dedication of Volume 2 of The Guardian
    (Source)

Because the dedication was signed as "The Guardian," Bohn attributed this to Joseph Addison, one of the major contributors to the paper.