Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.
Alexander PopeRead
Fools admire, but men of sense approve.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True understanding comes from discernment rather than blind admiration.
This quote by Alexander Pope highlights the difference between superficial admiration and thoughtful approval. While fools may be easily impressed and fall for surface-level qualities, those with wisdom and discernment take time to evaluate and genuinely approve of qualities or actions based on deeper understanding and insight.
Themes
WisdomDiscernmentUnderstandingApprovalAdmiration
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about critical thinking, one might say, 'As Alexander Pope wisely noted, fools admire, but men of sense approve.'
More from Alexander Pope
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Fair tresses man's imperial race ensnare; And beauty draws us with a single hair.
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An honest man's the noblest work of God.
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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?
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