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Say first, of god above or man below; what can we reason but from what we know.
Alexander Pope
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote emphasizes that our reasoning is based on our knowledge and experiences, whether about divine or human matters.

In this quote, Alexander Pope suggests that our capacity to reason and understand the world is intrinsically tied to what we already know. It implies that knowledge forms the foundation of our thoughts and beliefs, influencing how we perceive both divinity and humanity. Thus, we can only draw conclusions and form arguments based on our accumulated experiences and understanding, highlighting the importance of education and awareness in developing reasoned perspectives.

Themes

ReasoningKnowledgeUnderstandingExperiencePhilosophy

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate about ethics, the quote can be used to emphasize the importance of grounded reasoning.

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Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.
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