Alexander Pope Quotes

"A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday." — Alexander Pope
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"To err is human, to forgive divine." — Alexander Pope
An Essay on Criticism (1711) Part II, Line 325 The title of the work this is contained in carries the word "Essay," it is in fact a poem that represents the literary ideals of Pope's time. It also nearly expressly addresses other writers rather than the standard "reader." Add Category or Author

"For fools rush in where angels fear to tread." — Alexander Pope
An Essay on Criticism (1711) Part III Line 66 The title of the work this is contained in carries the word "Essay," it is in fact a poem that represents the literary ideals of Pope's time. It also nearly expressly addresses other writers rather than the standard "reader." Add Category or Author

"A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring." — Alexander Pope
An Essay on Criticism (1711) From a poem by Pope, it continues "There shallow Draughts intoxicate the Brain, And drinking largely sobers us again." Pope was probably speaking here of the dangers of pride in what we think we have been educated on, and how dangerous not knowing enough about a subject can be. Add Category or Author

"Two purposes in human nature rule. Self-love to urge, and reason to restrain." — Alexander Pope
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"Nature and nature's laws lay hid in night;God said "Let Newton be" and all was light." — Alexander Pope
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"PLeas'd look forward, pleas'd to look behind, And count each birthday with a grateful mind." — Alexander Pope
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"Many men have been capable of doing a wise thing, more a cunning thing, but very few a generous thing" — Alexander Pope
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"Authors, like coins, grow dear as they grow old:It is the rust we value, not the gold." — Alexander Pope
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"Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see, Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be." — Alexander Pope
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"Where'er you walk, cool glades shall fan the glade / Trees, where you sit, shall crowd into a shade: / Where'er you tread, the blusing flow'rs shall rise, / And all things flourish where you turn your eyes." — Alexander Pope
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"Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll; charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul." — Alexander Pope
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"Sure of their qualities and demanding praise, more go to ruined fortunes than are raised." — Alexander Pope
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"See my lips tremble, and my eye-balls roll,/ Suck my last breath, and catch my flying soul!" — Alexander Pope
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"Man never thinks himself happy, but when he enjoys those things which others want or desire" — Alexander Pope
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"Good God! how often are we to die before we go quite off this stage? In every friend we lose a part of ourselves, and the best part." — Alexander Pope
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"Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul" — Alexander Pope
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"Be not the first by which a new thing is tried, or the last to lay the old aside." — Alexander Pope
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"The ruling passion, be it what it will, The ruling passion conquers reason still" — Alexander Pope
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"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." — Alexander Pope
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"Hope springs eternal in the human breast: Man never is, but always To be Blest." — Alexander Pope
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