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The best way to prove the clearness of our mind, is by showing its faults as when a stream discovers the dirt at the bottom, it convinces us of the transparency and purity of the water.

Alexander Pope

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Alexander Pope
Age: 56 †
Born: 1688
Born: May 21
Died: 1744
Died: May 30
Literary Historian
Poet
Translator
the City
Pope the Poet
Alexander I Pope
Alexander
I Pope
Bottom
Transparency
Prove
Stream
Water
Dirt
Best
Showing
Mind
Streams
Way
Purity
Convinces
Convince
Clearness
Faults
Discovers

More quotes by Alexander Pope

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Virtue alone is happiness below.
Alexander Pope
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Some positive persisting fops we know, Who, if once wrong, will needs be always so But you with pleasure own your errors past, And make each day a critique on the last.
Alexander Pope
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There are certain times when most people are in a disposition of being informed, and 'tis incredible what a vast good a little truth might do, spoken in such seasons.
Alexander Pope
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What nothing earthly gives, or can destroy, The soul's calm sunshine, and the heart-felt joy, Is virtue's prize.
Alexander Pope
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Therefore they who say our thoughts are not our own because they resemble the Ancients, may as well say our faces are not our own, because they are like our Fathers: And indeed it is very unreasonable, that people should expect us to be Scholars, and yet be angry to find us so.
Alexander Pope
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Did some more sober critics come abroad? If wrong, I smil'd if right, I kiss'd the rod.
Alexander Pope
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Where'er you walk cool gales shall fan the glade, Trees where you sit shall crowd into a shade. Where'er you tread the blushing flowers shall rise, And all things flourish where you turn your eyes.
Alexander Pope
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No creature smarts so little as a fool.
Alexander Pope
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Here hills and vales, the woodland and the plain Here earth and water seem to strive again, Not chaos-like together crushed and bruised, But, as the world, harmoniously confused: Where order in variety we see, And where, though all things differ, all agree.
Alexander Pope
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What is fame? a fancied life in others' breath.
Alexander Pope
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Soft o'er the shrouds aerial whispers breathe, That seemed but zephyrs to the train beneath.
Alexander Pope
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For lo! the board with cups and spoons is crowned.The berries crackle, and the mill turns round ... At once they gratify their scent and taste.And frequent cups prolong the rich repast... Coffee (which makes the politician wise And see through all things with his half-shut eyes).
Alexander Pope
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A brain of feathers, and a heart of lead.
Alexander Pope
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Know then thyself, presume not God to scan The proper study of mankind is man.
Alexander Pope
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Is there no bright reversion in the sky, For those who greatly think or bravely die?
Alexander Pope
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There is but one way I know of conversing safely with all men that is, not by concealing what we say or do, but by saying or doing nothing that deserves to be concealed.
Alexander Pope
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No writing is good that does not tend to better mankind in some way or other.
Alexander Pope
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But thousands die without or this or that, Die, and endow a college or a cat.
Alexander Pope
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Dear, damned, distracting town, farewell! Thy fools no more I'll tease: This year in peace, ye critics, dwell, Ye harlots, sleep at ease!
Alexander Pope
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The way of the Creative works through change and transformation, so that each thing receives its true nature and destiny and comes into permanent accord with the Great Harmony: this is what furthers and what perseveres.
Alexander Pope