Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.
Alexander PopeRead
Awake, my St. John! leave all meaner things To low ambition and the pride of kings. Let us (since life can little more supply Than just to look about us, and to die) Expatiate free o'er all this scene of man; A mighty maze! but not without a plan.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote encourages a deeper reflection on life beyond superficial ambitions and recognizes a greater purpose.
In this quote, Alexander Pope calls upon St. John to rise above trivial pursuits and societal ambitions that are fueled by pride. He suggests that life offers limited opportunities, primarily consisting of existence and mortality, yet within this complexity, there is an overarching design or purpose to the human experience—implying that life, though intricate like a maze, is not devoid of meaning or direction.
Themes
LifePurposeReflectionPhilosophyExistence
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about finding purpose in life.
More from Alexander Pope
All quotes →What dire offence from am'rous causes springs, What mighty contests rise from trivial things.
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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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