Alexander Pope Quotes

Passions are the gales of life.

I find myself hoping a total end of all the unhappy divisions of mankind by party-spirit, which at best is but the madness of many for the gain of a few.

Those oft are stratagems which errors seem Nor is it Homer nods, but we that dream.

A disputant no more cares for the truth than the sportsman for the hare.

Never was it given to mortal man - To lie so boldly as we women can.

At ev'ry word a reputation dies.

Of Manners gentle, of Affections mild; In Wit a man; Simplicity, a child.

Is that a birthday? 'tis, alas! too clear; 'Tis but the funeral of the former year.

Whether the charmer sinner it, or saint it, If folly grow romantic, I must paint it.

Consult the genius of the place, that paints as you plant, and as you work.

Not always actions show the man; we find who does a kindness is not therefore kind.

The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read With loads of learned lumber in his head.

So vast is art, so narrow human wit.

Blest paper-credit! last and best supply! That lends corruption lighter wings to fly!

By flatterers besieged And so obliging that he ne'er obliged.

Heaven from all creatures hides the book of Fate.

He best can paint them who shall feel them most.

True politeness consists in being easy one's self, and in making every one about one as easy as one can.

Slave to no sect, who takes no private road, But looks through Nature up to Nature's God.

Chiefs who no more in bloody fights engage, But wise through time, and narrative with age, In summer-days like grasshoppers rejoice - A bloodless race, that send a feeble voice.

To the Elysian shades dismiss my soul, where no carnation fades.

Charm strikes the sight, but merit wins the soul.

A little learning is a dangerous thing.

No woman ever hates a man for being in love with her, but many a woman hate a man for being a friend to her.

The good must merit God's peculiar care; But who but God can tell us who they are?

The vanity of human life is like a river, constantly passing away, and yet constantly coming on.

Envy will merit, as its shade, pursue

That character in conversation which commonly passes for agreeable is made up of civility and falsehood.

Search then the ruling passion: This clue, once found, unravels all the rest.

Light quirks of music, broken and uneven,Make the soul dance upon a jig to Heav'n.

Sometimes virtue starves while vice is fed.

Who sees with equal eye, as God of all, A hero perish or a sparrow fall, Atoms or systems into ruin hurl'd, And now a bubble burst, and now a world.

Know then thyself, presume not God to scan; The proper study of mankind is man.

Fondly we think we honor merit then, when we but praise ourselves in other men.

In this commonplace world every one is said to be romantic who either admires a fine thing or does one.

Not to go back is somewhat to advance, and men must walk, at least, before they dance.

A gen'rous heart repairs a sland'rous tongue.

These riches are possess'd, but not enjoy'd!

There is a majesty in simplicity.

There never was any party, faction, sect, or cabal whatsoever, in which the most ignorant were not the most violent; for a bee is not a busier animal than a blockhead.

Dear, damned, distracting town, farewell! Thy fools no more I'll tease: This year in peace, ye critics, dwell, Ye harlots, sleep at ease!

Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll; charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.

All are but parts of one stupendous whole, Whose body Nature is, and God the soul.

A patriot is a fool in ev'ry age.

The ruling passion, be it what it will. The ruling passion conquers reason still.

Genuine religion is not so much a matter of feeling as a matter of principle.

To swear is neither brave, polite, nor wise.

Every woman is at heart a rake.