Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Alexander Pope (English Poet)

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

Virtuous and vicious everyone must be; few in extremes, but all in degree.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Virtues, Virtue

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

Nothing is more certain than that much of the force as well as grace of arguments, as well as of instructions, depends on their conciseness.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Argument

Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see, thinks what ne’er was, nor is, nor ever shall be.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Perfection

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As, to be hated, needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Evil, Vice, Familiarity

No writing is good that does not tend to better mankind in some way or other.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Writing

By foreign hands thy humble grave adorned; By strangers honored, and by strangers mourned.
—Alexander Pope

I am his Highness dog at Kew; pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you?
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Class

And wine can of their wits the wise beguile, make the sage frolic, and the serious smile.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Wine

Reason’s whole pleasure, all the joys of sense, lie in three words, health, peace, and competence.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Happiness

Our proper bliss depends on what we blame.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Blame

In pride, unreasoning pride, our error lies; all quit their sphere, and rush into the skies; pride still is aiming at the blest abodes; men would be angels; angels would be gods.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Reality, Opportunities, Pride

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

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

True friendship’s laws are by this rule expressed: welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.
—Alexander Pope

A man of business may talk of philosophy; a man who has none may practise it.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Business

Passions are the gales of life.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Passion

Strength of mind is exercise, not rest.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Mind

In faith and hope the world will disagree, but all mankind’s concern is charity.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Charity, Faith, Service, Giving, Kindness

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

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: Humankind, Self-Knowledge, Mankind, Man, Humanity

The hidden harmony is better than the obvious.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Art

The proper study of mankind is man.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Man

At present we can only reason of the divine justice from what we know of justice in man. When we are in other scenes we may have truer and nobler ideas of it; but while in this life we can only speak from the volume that is laid open before us.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Justice

Not to go back is somewhat to advance. And men must walk, at least, before they dance.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: One Step at a Time, Progress

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

Absent or dead, still let a friend be dear.
—Alexander Pope

Who breaks a butterfly on a wheel?
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Exaggeration

An obstinate person does not hold opinions; they hold them.
—Alexander Pope
Topics: Opinion, Opinions

Blest paper-credit! last and best supply! That lends corruption lighter wings to fly!
—Alexander Pope

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