Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.
Alexander PopeRead
Fly, dotard, fly! With thy wise dreams and fables of the sky.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests the folly of clinging to unrealistic ideals and fantasies.
In this quote, Alexander Pope addresses a foolish or aging person ('dotard') who is caught up in idealistic dreams and imaginative tales. Pope encourages this individual to abandon these lofty fantasies and instead confront the reality of life, suggesting a tension between idealism and realism in human experience.
Themes
DreamsRealityPhilosophyFoolishnessTruth
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the importance of facing reality, I might say, 'Fly, dotard, fly! With thy wise dreams and fables of the sky.'
More from Alexander Pope
All quotes βWhat dire offence from am'rous causes springs, What mighty contests rise from trivial things.
Alexander PopeRead
Fair tresses man's imperial race ensnare; And beauty draws us with a single hair.
Alexander PopeRead
An honest man's the noblest work of God.
Alexander PopeRead
One thought of thee puts all the pomp to flight;_x000D_ _x000D_ Priests, tapers, temples, swim before my sight.
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Who breaks a butterfly on a wheel?
Alexander PopeRead
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