Alexander Pope quotes

Born
21 May 1688 London, England.

Died
30 May 1744.

Occupation
Poet.

Alexander Pope was an 18th-century English poet. He is best known for his satirical verse and for his translation of Homer, and he is also famous for his use of the heroic couplet.

On wrongs swift vengeance waits.
– Alexander Pope

Some people will never learn anything, for this reason, because they understand everything too soon.
– Alexander Pope

Never find fault with the absent.
– Alexander Pope

So vast is art, so narrow human wit.
– Alexander Pope

To err is human; to forgive, divine.
– Alexander Pope

Trust not yourself, but your defects to know, make use of every friend and every foe.
– Alexander Pope

An honest man’s the noblest work of God.
– Alexander Pope

On life’s vast ocean diversely we sail. Reasons the card, but passion the gale.
– Alexander Pope

Praise undeserved, is satire in disguise.
– Alexander Pope

Not to go back is somewhat to advance, and men must walk, at least, before they dance.
– Alexander Pope

Our passions are like convulsion fits, which, though they make us stronger for a time, leave us the weaker ever after.
– Alexander Pope

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
– Alexander Pope

For Forms of Government let fools contest; whatever is best administered is best.
– Alexander Pope

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

To be angry is to revenge the faults of others on ourselves.
– Alexander Pope

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

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

The vulgar boil, the learned roast, an egg.
– Alexander Pope

Like Cato, give his little senate laws, and sit attentive to his own applause.
– Alexander Pope

Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll; charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.
– Alexander Pope

Is pride, the never-failing vice of fools.
– Alexander Pope

Get place and wealth, if possible with grace; if not, by any means get wealth and place.
– Alexander Pope

A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.
– Alexander Pope

‘Tis education forms the common mind; just as the twig is bent the tree’s inclined.
– Alexander Pope

Man never thinks himself happy, but when he enjoys those things which others want or desire.
– Alexander Pope

Who shall decide when doctors disagree, And soundest casuists doubt, like you and me?
– Alexander Pope

Never elated when someone’s oppressed, never dejected when another one’s blessed.
– Alexander Pope

Fools admire, but men of sense approve.
– Alexander Pope

Act well your part, there all the honour lies.
– Alexander Pope

And all who told it added something new, and all who heard it, made enlargements too.
– Alexander Pope

Never was it given to mortal man – To lie so boldly as we women can.
– Alexander Pope

Of Manners gentle, of Affections mild; In Wit a man; Simplicity, a child.
– Alexander Pope

All are but parts of one stupendous whole, Whose body Nature is, and God the soul.
– Alexander Pope

Health consists with temperance alone.
– Alexander Pope

A work of art that contains theories is like an object on which the price tag has been left.
– Alexander Pope

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

Blessed is the man who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed was the ninth beatitude.
– Alexander Pope

Satan is wiser now than before, and tempts by making rich instead of poor.
– Alexander Pope

Hope springs eternal in the human breast: Man never is, but always to be blest.
– Alexander Pope

And, after all, what is a lie? ‘Tis but the truth in a masquerade.
– Alexander Pope

Education forms the common mind. Just as the twig is bent, the tree’s inclined.
– Alexander Pope

Virtue she finds too painful an endeavour, content to dwell in decencies for ever.
– Alexander Pope

How happy is the blameless vestal’s lot? The world forgetting, by the world forgot.
– Alexander Pope

Order is heaven’s first law.
– Alexander Pope