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Some have at first for wits, then poets passed, Turned critics next, and proved plain fools at last.

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
Lasts
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Last
Wit
Next
Poets
Firsts
Passed
First
Critics
Turned
Wits
Poet
Proved
Fool
Fools

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So man, who here seems principal alone, Perhaps acts second to some sphere unknown Touches some wheel, or verges to some goal 'Tis but a part we see, and not a whole.
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Hear how the birds, on ev'ry blooming spray, With joyous musick wake the dawning day.
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O happiness! our being's end and aim! Good, pleasure, ease, content! whate'er thy name: That something still which prompts the eternal sigh, For which we bear to live, or dare to die.
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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.
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Satire or sense, alas! Can Sporus feel? Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?
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Ask for what end the heavenly bodies shine, Earth for whose use? Pride answers, 'Tis for mine For me kind nature wakes her genial power, Suckles each herb, and spreads out every flower.
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Still follow sense, of ev'ry art the soul, Parts answering parts shall slide into a whole.
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Some to conceit alone their taste confine, And glittering thoughts struck out at ev'ry line Pleas'd with a work where nothing's just or fit One glaring chaos and wild heap of wit.
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Sure of their qualities and demanding praise, more go to ruined fortunes than are raised.
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Genuine religion is not so much a matter of feeling as a matter of principle.
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Envy will merit as its shade pursue, But like a shadow, proves the substance true.
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Let such teach others who themselves excel, And censure freely who have written well.
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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.
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A perfect woman's but a softer man.
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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.
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Of darkness visible so much be lent, as half to show, half veil, the deep intent.
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Court-virtues bear, like gems, the highest rate, Born where Heav'n influence scarce can penetrate. In life's low vale, the soil the virtues like, They please as beauties, here as wonders strike.
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In every work regard the writer's end, Since none can compass more than they intend.
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A man of business may talk of philosophy a man who has none may practice it.
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To swear is neither brave, polite, nor wise.
Alexander Pope