Top 25 Quotes by Alexander Pope of 731 - Page 23

I believe no one qualification is so likely to make a good writer, as the power of rejecting his own thoughts.

I believe no one qualification is so likely to make a good writer, as the power of rejecting his own thoughts.

Believe, Qualifications, Good Writers

Alexander Pope (1873). “The Poetical Works of Alexander Pope Edited with Notes and Introductory Memoir by Adolphus William Ward”, p.4

So perish all who do the like again.

Alexander Pope

But Satan now is wiser than of yore, and tempts by making rich, not making poor.

Alexander Pope

Temptation, Literature, Satan

Alexander Pope, William Warburton (1797). “The Works of Alexander Pope, Esq: Life of Alexander Pope. Poems”, p.266

The learned is happy, nature to explore; The fool is happy, that he knows no more.

Alexander Pope

Stupid, Fool, Knows

'An Essay on Man' Epistle 2 (1733) l. 263

How happy is the blameless vestal's lot? The world forgetting, by the world forgot.

Alexander Pope

Happiness, Sunshine, Obscurity

"Eloisa to Abelard" l. 207 (1717)

A person who is too nice an observer of the business of the crowd, like one who is too curious in observing the labor of bees, will often be stung for his curiosity.

Alexander Pope

Business, Nice, Often Is

Alexander Pope, Alexander Chalmers (1807). “A Supplementary Volume to the Works of Alexander Pope, Esq: Containing Pieces of Poetry, Not Inserted in Warburton's and Warton's Editions : and a Collection of Letters, Now First Published”, p.122

On life's vast ocean diversely we sail, Reason the card, but passion is the gale; Nor God alone in the still calm we find, He mounts the storm, and walks upon the wind.

Alexander Pope

Ocean, Passion, Wind

Alexander Pope (1847). “The works of Alexander Pope, with notes and illustrations, by himself and others. To which are added, a new life of the author [&c.] by W. Roscoe”, p.69

Such as are still observing upon others are like those who are always abroad at other men's houses, reforming everything there while their own runs to ruin.

Alexander Pope

Running, Men, Gossip

Alexander Pope (1806). “The Works of Alexander Pope, Esq. In Verse and Prose: Containing the Principal Notes of Drs. Warburton and Warton: Illustrations, and Critical and Explanatory Remarks, by Johnson, Wakefield, A. Chalmers, F.S.A. and Others. To which are Added, Now First Published, Some Original Letters, with Additional Observations, and Memoirs of the Life of the Author”, p.409

The villain's censure is extorted praise.

Alexander Pope

Villain, Praise, Censure

Alexander Pope (1847). “The works of Alexander Pope, with notes and illustrations, by himself and others. To which are added, a new life of the author [&c.] by W. Roscoe”, p.302

Virtue may choose the high or low degree, 'Tis just alike to virtue, and to me; Dwell in a monk, or light upon a king, She's still the same belov'd, contented thing.

Alexander Pope

Kings, Light, Degrees

Alexander Pope, Alexander Dyce (1866). “The Poetical Works of Alexander Pope. ...”, p.108

Oh! if to dance all night, and dress all day, Charm'd the small-pox, or chas'd old age away; . . . . To patch, nay ogle, might become a saint, Nor could it sure be such a sin to paint.

Alexander Pope

Night, Dancing, Age

Alexander Pope (1822). “The Works of Alexander Pope”, p.373

To Him no high, no low, no great, no small; He fills, He bounds, connects and equals all!

Alexander Pope

God, Lows, Bounds

Alexander Pope, William Roscoe (1847). “The works of Alexander Pope, esq., with notes and illustrations, by himself and others. To which are added, a new life of the author, an Estimate of his poetical character and writings, and occasional remarks by William Roscoe, esq”, p.49

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

Alexander Pope

Inspirational, Inspiring, Simplicity

Alexander Pope (1806). “The works of Alexander Pope. Containing the principal notes of drs. Warburton and Warton [&c.]. To which are added, some original letters, with additional observations, and memoirs, by W.L. Bowles”, p.64

Trade it may help, society extend, But lures the Pirate, ant corrupts the friend: It raises armies in a nation's aid, But bribes a senate, and the land's betray'd.

Alexander Pope

Money, Army, Land

Music the fiercest grief can charm, And fate's severest rage disarm. Music can soften pain to ease, And make despair and madness please; Our joys below it can improve, And antedate the bliss above.

Alexander Pope

Music, Pain, Grief

Alexander Pope (1839). “The poetical works of Alexander Pope. Ed. by H.F. Cary, with a biogr. notice of the author”, p.15

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

Alexander Pope

Atheism, Looks, Privacy

'An Essay on Man' Epistle 4 (1734) l. 331

By music minds an equal temper know, Nor swell too high, nor sink too low. . . . . Warriors she fires with animated sounds. Pours balm into the bleeding lover's wounds.

Alexander Pope

Music, Warrior, Fire

Alexander Pope (1839). “The poetical works of Alexander Pope. Ed. by H.F. Cary, with a biogr. notice of the author”, p.15

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

Alexander Pope

Memories, Reflection, Remembrance

Alexander Pope, “An Essay On Man In Four Epistles: Epistle 1”

Pretty conceptions, fine metaphors, glittering expressions, and something of a neat cast of verse are properly the dress, gems, or loose ornaments of poetry.

Alexander Pope

Expression, Poetry, Dresses

Alexander Pope (1806). “The Works of Alexander Pope, Esq. In Verse and Prose: Containing the Principal Notes of Drs. Warburton and Warton: Illustrations, and Critical and Explanatory Remarks, by Johnson, Wakefield, A. Chalmers, F.S.A. and Others. To which are Added, Now First Published, Some Original Letters, with Additional Observations, and Memoirs of the Life of the Author”, p.151

There is nothing wanting to make all rational and disinterested people in the world of one religion, but that they should talk together every day.

Alexander Pope

People, Religion, Together

Alexander Pope, Alexander Chalmers (1807). “A Supplementary Volume to the Works of Alexander Pope, Esq: Containing Pieces of Poetry, Not Inserted in Warburton's and Warton's Editions : and a Collection of Letters, Now First Published”, p.128

Fickle Fortune reigns, and, undiscerning, scatters crowns and chains.

Alexander Pope

Reign, Fickle, Crowns

Alexander Pope (1853). “The poetical works of Alexander Pope”

'Tis not enough your counsel still be true; Blunt truths more mischief than nice falsehoods do.

Alexander Pope

Nice, Stupid, Literature

Alexander Pope (2015). “An Essay on Criticism”, p.17, Sheba Blake Publishing

Whate'er the passion, knowledge, fame, or pelf, Not one will change his neighbor with himself.

Alexander Pope

Passion, Contentment, Fame

Alexander Pope (1823). “An Essay on Man: In Four Epistles, to Henry St. John, Lord Bolingbroke : to which is Added, The Universal Prayer, with Other Poems”, p.20

Know then this truth, enough for man to know virtue alone is happiness below.

Alexander Pope

Happiness, Laughter, Truth

Alexander Pope, William Roscoe (1824). “The Works of Alexander Pope: Esq. with Notes and Illustrations by Himself and Others, to which are Added, a New Life of the Author, an Estimate of His Poetical Character and Writings, and Occasional Remarks”