“Self-love, the spring of motion, acts the soul; Reason's comparing balance rules the whole. Man, but for that no action could attend, And, but for this, were active to no end: Fix'd like a plant on his peculiar spot, To draw nutrition, propagate, and rot; Or, meteor-like, flame lawless thro' the void, Destroying others, by himself destroy'd.”
Quote by Alexander Pope
Work
Essay on Man and Other Poems
This book includes the famous poem 'Essay on Man,' which delves into the nature of humanity and the universe, along with other poems that reflect on spiritual and moral themes. more
Author
Alexander Pope
Alexander Pope, an English poet, was born on May 21, 1688, and died on May 30, 1744. He is renowned for his wit, satire, and elegant poetry, with his most famous works including 'An Essay on Criticism' and 'The Moral Essays'. Pope's works have had a profound impact on literature and philosophy, both in his time and today. more
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Source: Letters of Alexander Pope and Several Eminent Persons from the Year 1705 to 1735
“Sleep and death, two twins of winged race, Of matchless swiftness, but of silent pace.”
Source: The Iliad of Homer
“Though triumphs were to generals only due, crowns were reserved to grace the soldiers too.”
Source: An Essay on Criticism
“Man, like the generous vine, supported lives; the strength he gains is from the embrace he gives.”
Source: Essay on Man and Other Poems
“Wholesome solitude, the nurse of sense!”
Source: The works of Alexander Pope. Containing the principal notes of drs. Warburton and Warton [&c.]. To which are added, some original letters, with additional observations, and memoirs, by W.L. Bowles
“And empty heads console with empty sound.”
Source: The Poetical Works of Alexander Pope: Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot, being the prologue to the satires. Satires, epistles, and odes of Horace imitated. Epitaphs. The Dunciad, in four books
“Who taught that heaven-directed spire to rise?”
Source: The works of Alexander Pope. With notes by dr. Warburton
“There is no study that is not capable of delighting us after a little application to it.”