Quotes from Alexander Pope

Many men have been capable of doing a wise thing, more a cunning thing, but very few a generous thing

There is a certain majesty in simplicity which is far above all the quaintness of wit.

On wrongs swift vengeance waits.

Strength of mind is exercise, not rest.

Order is Heaven's first law; and this confess, Some are and must be greater than the rest.

At every trifle, scorn to take offence; that always shows great pride, or little sense

Thee too, my Paridel! she mark'd thee there, Stretch'd on the rack of a too easy chair, And heard thy everlasting yarn confess The Pains and Penalties of Idleness.

How glowing guilt exalts the keen delight!

Vices and virtues are of a strange nature, for the more we have, the fewer we think we have

All other goods by fortune's hand are given: A wife is the peculiar gift of Heaven.

At every word a reputation dies.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

There Affectation, with a sickly mien, Shows in her cheek the roses of eighteen

A wit with dunces, and a dunce with wits.

To endeavor to work upon the vulgar with fine sense is like attempting to hew blocks with a razor.

From vulgar bounds with brave disorder part, And snatch a grace beyond the reach of art.

One who is too wise an observer of the business of others, like one who is too curious in observing the labor of bees, will often be stung for his curiosity.

Remembrance and reflection how allied. What thin partitions divides sense from thought.

But thousands die without or this or that, die, and endow a college, or a cat: To some, indeed, Heaven grants the happier fate, Tenrich a bastard, or a son they hate.

Who reasons wisely is not therefore wise; His pride in reasoning, not in acting, lies

Be thou the first true merit to befriend, his praise is lost who stays till all commend.

Silence! coeval with eternity! thou wert ere Nature's self began to be; thine was the sway ere heaven was formed on earth, ere fruitful thought conceived creation's birth.

A God without dominion, providence, and final causes, is nothing else but fate and nature.

Envy will merit as its shade pursue, But like a shadow, proves the substance true.