Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.
Alexander PopeRead
In lazy apathy let stoics boast, their virtue fixed, 'tis fixed as in a frost.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote critiques the stoic philosophy of detachment, suggesting that it can lead to complacency rather than true virtue.
Alexander Pope's quote reflects on the stoic belief in remaining indifferent to external circumstances, implying that such detachment can result in a kind of apathy. While stoics may pride themselves on their steadfastness, Pope suggests that true virtue is not simply an absence of feeling but an active engagement with life, making their supposed 'fixed' virtue as cold and lifeless as frost.
Themes
StoicismVirtueApathyPhilosophyEngagement
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about philosophical approaches to life, one might use this quote to argue for a more active engagement in life's challenges.
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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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