Quotes from Alexander Pope

Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see, Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be.

So Man, who here seems principal alone, Perhaps acts second to some sphere unknown. Touches some wheel, or verges to some goal, 'Tis but a part we see, and not a whole.

All nature is but art, unknown to thee; All chance, direction, which thou canst not see; All discord, harmony not understood; All partial evil, universal good: And, spite of pride in erring reason's spite, One truth is clear, whatever is, is right. ARGUMENT

Those half-learn'd witlings, num'rous in our isle As half-form'd insects on the banks of Nile

Not grace, or zeal, love only was my call, And if I lose thy love, I lose my all.

Where beams of warm imagination play, The memory's soft figures melt away. One science only will one genius fit; So vast is art, so narrow human wit:

He, who supreme in judgment, as in wit, Might boldly censure, as he boldly writ.

Of these am I, who thy protection claim, A watchful sprite, and Ariel is my name. Late, as I rang'd the crystal wilds of air, In the clear mirror of thy ruling star I saw, alas! some dread event impend, Ere to the main this morning sun descend, But Heav'n reveals not what, or how, or where: Warn'd by the Sylph, oh pious maid, beware!

We think our fathers fools, so wise we grow; Our wiser sons, no doubt, will think us so.

Een mens moet zich nooit schamen te bekennen dat hij ongelijk had, daarmee zegt hij slechts in andere woorden dat hij vandaag wijzer is dan hij gisteren was.

And screams of horror rend th' affrighted skies.   Not louder shrieks to pitying heav'n are cast,   When husbands, or when lapdogs breathe their last;   Or when rich China vessels fall'n from high,   In glitt'ring dust and painted fragments lie! 160

Of all the causes which conspire to blind Man's erring judgment and misguide the mind, What the weak head with strongest bias rules, Is pride, the never-failing vice of fools.

Not louder shrieks to pitying heav'n are cast,   When husbands, or when lapdogs breathe their last;   Or when rich China vessels fall'n from high,   In glitt'ring dust and painted fragments lie! 160

And see, my son! the hour is on its way, That lifts the Goddess to imperial sway; This favourite isle, long severed from her reign, Doveline, she gathers to her wings again

But always think the last opinion right.

Tis hard to say, if greater want of skill Appear in writing or in judging ill

Algunas personas nunca aprenden nada, porque todo lo comprenden demasiado pronto.

For fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

All nature is but art, unknown to thee.

LO! THY DREAD EMPIRE, CHAOS! IS RESTOR'D; LIGHT DIES BEFORE THY UNCREATING WORD; THY HAND, GREAT ANARCH! LETS THE CURTAIN FALL; AND UNIVERSAL DARKNESS BURIES ALL

Brilho eterno de uma mente sem lembranças. Toda prece é ouvida, toda graça se alcança.

Guideless I wander, unregarded mourn,   105 Whilst these exalt their sceptres o'er my urn;

The proper study of Mankind is Man

Tis but a part we see, and not a whole.