With various readings stored his empty skull, Learn'd without sense, and venerably dull.

A joke's a very serious thing.

It can't be Nature, for it is not sense.

Though by whim, envy, or resentment led, they damn those authors whom they never read.

With various readings stored his empty skull, Learn'd without sense, and venerably dull.

The surest way to health, say what they will, Is never to suppose we shall be ill; Most of the ills which we poor mortals know From doctors and imagination flow.

He hurts me most who lavishly commends.