Know then thyself, presume not God to scan, The proper study of mankind is Man.Placed on this isthmus of a middle state, A being darkly wise and rudely great: With too much knowledge for the Sceptic side, With too much weakness for the Stoic's pride, He hangs between, in doubt to act or rest; In doubt to deem himself a God or Beast;In doubt his mind or body to prefer; Born but to die, and reas'ning but to err; Alike in ignorance, his reason such, Whether he thinks too little or too much; Chaos of thought and passion, all confused; Still by himself abused or disabused; Created half to rise, and half to fall; Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all; Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurl'd; The glory, jest, and riddle of the world! Go, wondrous creature! mount where science guides, Go, measure earth, weigh air, and state the tides; Instruct the planets in what orbs to run, Correct old time, and regulate the sun; Go, soar with Plato to th’ empyreal sphere, To the first good, first perfect, and first fair; Or tread the mazy round his followers trod, And quitting sense call imitating God;As Eastern priests in giddy circles run, And turn their heads to imitate the sun. Go, teach Eternal Wisdom how to rule– Then drop into thyself, and be a fool! . Alexander Pope
About This Quote

These words were written by William Blake, an English poet, artist and designer. He is well-known for his visionary work and his many contributions to art and culture. In this quote, he expresses a common human trait. We often think we know ourselves, but we often do not know ourselves as well as we think. The proper study of mankind is man.

Source: An Essay On Man

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More Quotes By Alexander Pope
  1. If I am right, Thy grace impart Still in the right to stay; If I am wrong, O, teach my heart To find that better way!
  2. Nature and Nature's laws lay hid in night: God said, Let Newton be! and all was light.
  3. A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong, which is but saying in other words that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.
  4. Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.
  5. Hope springs eternal in the human breast; Man never Is, but always To be blest. The soul, uneasy, and confin'd from home, Rests and expatiates in a life to come.
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