Alexander Pope (1688–1744) was one of the most vivid poets and extraordinary satirists to have ever written in the English language. In his remarkable career, Pope set the standard for poetry and the moral and philosophical thinking that defined his age.
Born in London to Catholic parents in Protestant England, Pope faced virulent anti-Catholic sentiment and laws. Catholics were forbidden to attend university, hold public office, own property, and even live within 10 miles of London. Pope was denied access to the best schools and a university. His aunt taught him to read, and a priest taught him Greek and Latin. At age eight, Pope was captivated by the works of Homer. Later, in his thirties, he published English translations of Homer’s Illiad (1720) and Odyssey (1726)—these works are now considered Pope’s most significant literary accomplishments.
Pope’s first literary success came just before his 23rd birthday when he published a 744-line poem called An Essay on Criticism (1711) about the history of literature. Not only did this poem make Pope famous for his attack of contemporaneous literary critics, but it also became one of the most quoted verses in the English language.
Pope was the first English poet who financially supported himself through only his writing. He was also the first English writer to have translations of his poems into other languages and become famous all over Europe—all during his lifetime. He is the second most frequently quoted writer in the English language after Shakespeare.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Alexander Pope
All seems infected that the infected spy, as all looks yellow to the jaundiced eye.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Positive Attitudes, Perception, Optimism
Curst be the verse how well so’er it flow, that tends to make one worthy man my foe, gives virtue scandal, innocence a fear, or from the soft-eyed virgin steals a tear.
—Alexander Pope
Sure of their qualities and demanding praise, more go to ruined fortunes than are raised.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Pride
An excuse is worse than a lie, for an excuse is a lie, guarded.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Lies, Excuses
Be silent always when you doubt your sense.
—Alexander Pope
There is an oblique way of reproof, which takes off the sharpness of it, and an address in flattery, which makes it agreeable, though never so gross; but of all flatterers, the most skilful is he who can do what you like, without saying anything which argues he does it for your sake.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Flattery
Truth shines the brighter clad in verse.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Poetry
Who dares think one thing, and another tell, my soul detests him as the gates of hell.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Deceit
An honest man is the noblest work of God.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Honesty, Man
A man of business may talk of philosophy; a man who has none may practise it.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Business
In faith and hope the world will disagree, but all mankind’s concern is charity.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Faith, Charity, Giving, Kindness, Service
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
Topics: Mind
Die and endow a college or a cat.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Inheritance
Our rural ancestors, with little blest,
Patient of labour when the end was rest,
Indulged the day that housed their annual grain,
With feasts, and off’rings, and a thankful strain.
—Alexander Pope
Of all the causes which conspire to blind man’s erring judgment, and mislead the mind, what the weak head with strongest bias rules, is pride—that never failing vice of fools.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Pride
To endeavor to work upon the vulgar with fine sense is like attempting to hew blocks with a razor.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Vulgarity, Profanity, Swearing
Know then thyself, presume not God to scan,
The proper study of Mankind is Man.
Placed on this isthmus of a middle state,
A being darkly wise and rudely great.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Mankind, Humankind, Self-Knowledge, Humanity, Man
Some have at first for wits, then poets passed; turned critics next, and proved plain fools at last.
—Alexander Pope
True politeness consists in being easy one’s self, and in making every one about one as easy as one can.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Manners, Courtesy
Some people will never learn anything, for this reason, because they understand everything too soon.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Learning
To err is human; to forgive, divine.
—Alexander Pope
Whatever makes man a slave takes half his worth away.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Slavery
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
Topics: Truth
Histories are more full of examples of the fidelity of dogs than of friends.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Loyalty, Dogs
Let me tell you I am better acquainted with you for a long absence, as men are with themselves for a long affliction: absence does but hold off a friend, to make one see him the truer.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Absence
What conscience dictates to be done, or warns me not to do, this teach me more than hell to shun, that more than heaven pursue.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Conscience
For forms of government, let fools contest; whatever is administered best is best.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Government
Strength of mind is exercise, not rest.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Mind
He who tells a lie, is not sensible how great a task he undertakes; for he must be forced to invent twenty more to maintain that one.
—Alexander Pope
What is it to be wise? – ‘Tis but to know how little can be known – to see all others’ faults and feel our own.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Wisdom
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