Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.
Alexander PopeRead
Plays round the head, but comes not to the heart. One self-approving hour whole years outweighs Of stupid starers and of loud huzzas; And more true joy Marcellus exil'd feels Than Cæsar with a senate at his heels. In parts superior what advantage lies? Tell (for you can) what is it to be wise? 'T is but to know how little can be known; To see all others' faults, and feel our own.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True wisdom involves recognizing the limits of our knowledge and understanding our own faults.
In this quote, Alexander Pope suggests that superficial praise and attention from others are of little value compared to genuine self-reflection and self-approval. He argues that true joy and wisdom come from within, highlighting the importance of knowing our limitations and being aware of our own flaws rather than being consumed by the opinions of others.
Themes
WisdomSelf-ReflectionKnowledgeJoySelf-Approval
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of introspection.
More from Alexander Pope
All quotes →What 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
Some people spend the day in complaining of a headache, and the night in drinking the wine that gives it.
Johann Wolfgang Von GoetheRead
Many people would sooner die than think; in fact, they do so.
Bertrand RussellRead
Good thoughts and actions can never produce bad results; bad thoughts and actions can never produce good results … We understand this law in the natural world, and work with it; but few understand it in the mental and moral world—although its operation there is just as simple and undeviating— and they, therefore, do not cooperate with it.
James AllenRead
I am proud to be part of a species where a subset of its members willingly put their lives at risk to push the boundaries of our existence.
Neil Degrasse TysonRead
Honest error is to be pitied not ridiculed.
Lord ChesterfieldRead
Let me go back to a fundamental thing we all used to agree on: information is power. That's why we became journalists in the first place.
Maria RessaRead