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The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations Preface

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Know then thyself, presume not God to scan;<br />

<strong>The</strong> proper study <strong>of</strong> mankind is man.<br />

Placed on this isthmus <strong>of</strong> a middle state,<br />

A being darkly wise, and rudely great:<br />

With too much knowledge for the sceptic side,<br />

With too much weakness for the stoic’s pride,<br />

He hangs between; in doubt to act or rest,<br />

In doubt to deem himself a gd, or beast;<br />

In doubt his mind or body to prefer,<br />

Born but to die, and reas’ning but to err;<br />

Alike in ignorance, his reason such,<br />

Whether he thinks too little, or too much.<br />

‘An Essay on Man’ Epistle 2 (1733) l. 1.<br />

Created half to rise, and half to fall;<br />

Great lord <strong>of</strong> all things, yet a prey to all;<br />

Sole judge <strong>of</strong> truth, in endless error hurled;<br />

<strong>The</strong> glory, jest, and riddle <strong>of</strong> the world!<br />

‘An Essay on Man’ Epistle 2 (1733) l. 15<br />

Go, teach Eternal Wisdom how to rule—<br />

<strong>The</strong>n drop into thyself, and be a fool!<br />

‘An Essay on Man’ Epistle 2 (1733) l. 29<br />

Fixed like a plant on his peculiar spot,<br />

To draw nutrition, propagate, and rot.<br />

‘An Essay on Man’ Epistle 2 (1733) l. 63<br />

Vice is a monster <strong>of</strong> so frightful mien,<br />

As, to be hated, needs but to be seen;<br />

Yet seen too <strong>of</strong>t, familiar with her face,<br />

We first endure, then pity, then embrace.<br />

‘An Essay on Man’ Epistle 2 (1733) l. 217<br />

<strong>The</strong> learn’d is happy nature to explore,<br />

<strong>The</strong> fool is happy that he knows no more.<br />

‘An Essay on Man’ Epistle 2 (1733) l. 263<br />

Behold the child, by Nature’s kindly law<br />

Pleased with a rattle, tickled with a straw.<br />

‘An Essay on Man’ Epistle 2 (1733) l. 275<br />

Scarfs, garters, gold, amuse his riper stage;<br />

And beads and pray’r-books are the toys <strong>of</strong> age:<br />

Pleased with this bauble still, as that before;<br />

Till tired he sleeps, and life’s poor play is o’er!<br />

‘An Essay on Man’ Epistle 2 (1733) l. 279

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