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

Die and endow a college or a cat.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Inheritance

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

I would tear out my own heart if it had no better disposition than to love only myself, and laugh at all my neighbors.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Selfishness

Remembrance and reflection how allied. What thin partitions divides sense from thought.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Memory

To err is human, to forgive divine.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Forgiveness, Kindness

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

There goes a saying, and ’twas shrewdly said, “Old fish at table, but young flesh in bed.”
Alexander Pope
Topics: Sex

You beat your Pate, and fancy Wit will come: Knock as you please, there’s no body at home.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Inspirational, Inspiration

Teach me to feel another’s woe,
To hide the fault I see,
That mercy I to others show,
That mercy show to me.
Alexander Pope

From pride, from pride, our very reas’ning springs.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Morals

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: Pride, Opportunities, Reality

Music resembles poetry; in each are numerous graces which no methods teach, and which a master hand alone can reach.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Music

Looks through nature up to nature’s God.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Nature

Good God! how often are we to die before we go quite off this stage? In every friend we lose a part of ourselves, and the best part.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Death, Dying

Do good by stealth and blush to find fame.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Kindness, Action

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

Oh, blindness to the future! kindly given, that each may fill the circle marked by heaven.
Alexander Pope

There is a majesty in simplicity which is far above the quaintness of wit.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Simplicity

Love, free as air at sight of human ties, Spreads his light wings, and in a moment flies.
Alexander Pope

Jarring interests of themselves create the according music of a well-mixed state.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Politics

One science only will one genius fit; so vast is art, so narrow human wit.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Science

The most positive men are the most credulous, since they most believe themselves, and advise most with their falsest flatterer and worst enemy,—their own self-love.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Belief

Envy will merit as its shade pursue, But like a shadow, proves the substance true.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Envy

Be thou the first true merit to befriend, his praise is lost who stays till all commend.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Praise

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
Topics: Observation, Curiosity

How glowing guilt exalts the keen delight!
Alexander Pope
Topics: Guilt

Most authors steal their works, or buy.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Authors & Writing, Writers

Raise reason over instinct as you can; in this ’tis God directs; in that ’tis man.
Alexander Pope

Order is Heaven’s first law; and this confessed, some are, and must be, greater than the rest, more rich, more wise; but who infers from hence that such are happier, shocks all common sense. Condition, circumstance, is not the thing; bliss is the same in subject or in king.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Order

Two purposes in human nature rule. Self-love to urge, and reason to restrain.
Alexander Pope
Topics: Motivation, Motivational

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