Alexander Pope

No, make me mistress to the man I love; If there be yet another name more free More fond than mistress, make me that to thee!

Some are bewildered in the maze of schools, And some made coxcombs nature meant but fools.

Some judge of authors' names, not works, and then Nor praise nor blame the writings, but the men.

Such labour'd nothings, in so strange a style, Amaze th' unlearn'd and make the learned smile.

Thus let me live, unseen, unknown, Thus unlamented let me die, Steal from the world, and not a stone Tell where I lie.

We think our fathers fools, so wise we grow. Our wiser sons, no doubt will think us so.

Ambition first sprung from your blest abodes: the glorious fault of angels and of gods.

Extremes in nature equal ends produce; In man they join to some mysterious use.

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.

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

No one should be ashamed to admit they are wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that they are wiser today than they were yesterday.

Great oaks grow from little acorns. He has a green thumb. He has green fingers. He's sowing his wild oats. Here Ceres' gifts in waving prospect stand, And nodding tempt the joyful reaper's hand.

Be thou the first true merit to befriend, his praise is lost who stays till all commend.

Envy will merit, as its shade, pursue

Our rural ancestors, with little blest, Patient of labor when the end was rest, Indulged the day that housed their annual grain, With feasts, and off'rings, and a thankful strain.

Sure of their qualities and demanding praise, more go to ruined fortunes than are raised.

All looks yellow to a jaundiced eye.

And make each day a critic on the last.

Genius creates, and taste preserves. Taste is the good sense of genius; without taste, genius is only sublime folly.

Drink is the feast of reason and the flow of soul.

Honor and shame from no condition rise. Act well your part: there all the honor lies.