Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.
Alexander PopeRead
No louder shrieks to pitying heaven are cast, When husbands or lap-dogs breathe their last.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote humorously highlights how society often mourns pets as much as, or more than, human beings.
In this quote, Alexander Pope uses irony to critique societal values and the disproportionate reactions to death. He suggests that the grief expressed for a husband or a lap-dog when they pass away may not be significantly different, hinting at a world where the loss of a beloved pet gets equal if not more attention than that of a human partner, thereby questioning the nature of love and attachment in relationships.
Themes
DeathHumorPetsRelationshipsGrief
In practice
Example use cases
During a eulogy, one might reference this quote to lighten the mood when discussing cherished pets.
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.
Alexander PopeRead
Who breaks a butterfly on a wheel?
Alexander PopeRead
Similar quotes
What use are cartridges in battle? I always carry chocolate instead.
George Bernard ShawRead
Only laughter can blow [a colossal humbug] to rags and atoms at a blast. Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.
Mark TwainRead
It occurred to me that eating is the only form of professionalism most people ever attain.
Don DelilloRead
Cut out all these exclamation points. An exclamation point is like laughing at your own joke.
F. Scott FitzgeraldRead
I think a lot of people mistake my confidence on stage for cockiness in real life, and that's actually farthest from the truth. When I'm on stage, I'm that confident and that cocky because I have a microphone in my hand, and there's a few thousand people staring at me. And I know they're there to laugh.
Russell PetersRead
Inviting people to laugh with you while you are laughing at yourself is a good thing to do. You may be a fool but you're the fool in charge.
Carl ReinerRead