Alexander Pope Quotes (page 2)

1688-1744, British Poet, Critic, Translator
quotes
99
topics
12
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“Satan is wiser now than before, and tempts by making rich instead of poor.”
Devil
“One science only will one genius fit; so vast is art, so narrow human wit.”
Science and Scientists
“Virtuous and vicious everyone must be; few in extremes, but all in degree.”
Virtue
“Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends.”
VerifiedLetter to Henry Cromwell (19 October 1709) · evidenceLoyalty
“At every trifle take offense, that always shows great pride or little sense.”
Pride
“Know then this truth, enough for man to know virtue alone is happiness below.”
Happiness
“Two purposes in human nature rule. Self-love to urge, and reason to restrain.”
Motivation
“Fix'd like a plan on his peculiar spot, to draw nutrition, propagate, and rot.”
Inertia
“Like Cato, give his little senate laws, and sit attentive to his own applause.”
Tyranny
“Education forms the common mind. Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined.”
Education
“True disputants are like true sportsman: their whole delight is in the pursuit.”
Argument
“Fondly we think we honor merit then, When we but praise ourselves in other men.”
Praise
“On life's vast ocean diversely we sail. Reasons the card, but passion the gale.”
Reason
“But Satan now is wiser than of yore, and tempts by making rich, not making poor.”
Wealth
“Never elated when someone's oppressed, never dejected when another one's blessed.”
Attitude
“Be not the first by which a new thing is tried, or the last to lay the old aside.”
Change
“For Forms of Government let fools contest; whatever is best administered is best.”
Government
“The ruling passion, be it what it will, The ruling passion conquers reason still.”
Passion
“Why did I write? What sin to me unknown dipped me in ink, my parents , or my own?”
Writers and Writing
“The hungry judges soon the sentence sign, and wretches hang that jurymen may dine.”
Trials
“How happy is the blameless vestal's lot? The world forgetting, by the world forgot.”
Chastity
“For virtue's self may too much zeal be had; the worst of madmen is a saint run mad.”
Insanity
“Honor and shame from no condition rise; Act well your part, there all the honor lies.”
Character
“And all who told it added something new, and all who heard it, made enlargements too.”
VerifiedThe Temple of Fame (1711) · evidenceGossip
“Blest paper-credit! last and best supply! That lends corruption lighter wings to fly!”
Credit
“Trust not yourself, but your defects to know, make use of every friend and every foe.”
Self-knowledge
“Behold the child, by nature's kindly law, pleased with a rattle, tickled with a straw.”
Children
“Not to go back is somewhat to advance, and men must walk, at least, before they dance.”
Progress
“We think our fathers fools, so wise we grow. Our wiser sons, no doubt will think us so.”
Fathers and Sons
“Remembrance and reflection how allied. What thin partitions divides sense from thought.”
Memory