Miscellaneous

Pope (1886)In these three things the men of noble birth fail not:In virtuous deed and truthful word, and chastened thought

MeaningThe high-born will never deviate from these three; good manners, truthfulness and modesty

Pope (1886)The smile, the gift, the pleasant word, unfailing courtesyThese are the signs, they say, of true nobility

MeaningA cheerful countenance, liberality, pleasant words, and an unreviling disposition, these four are said to be the proper qualities of the truly high-born

Pope (1886)Millions on millions piled would never winThe men of noble race to soul-degrading sin

MeaningThough blessed with immense wealth, the noble will never do anything unbecoming

Pope (1886)Though stores for charity should fail within, the ancient raceWill never lose its old ancestral grace

MeaningThough their means fall off, those born in ancient families, will not lose their character (for liberality)

Pope (1886)Whose minds are set to live as fits their sire's unspotted fame, Stooping to low deceit, commit no deeds that gender shame

MeaningThose who seek to preserve the irreproachable honour of their families will not viciously do what is detrimental thereto

Pope (1886)The faults of men of noble race are seen by every eye, As spots on her bright orb that walks sublime the evening sky

MeaningAs spots on her bright orb that walks sublime the evening sky

Pope (1886)If lack of love appear in those who bear some goodly name,'Twill make men doubt the ancestry they claim

MeaningIf one of a good family betrays want of affection, his descent from it will be called in question

Pope (1886)Of soil the plants that spring thereout will show the worth:The words they speak declare the men of noble birth

MeaningAs the sprout indicates the nature of the soil, (so) the speech of the noble indicates (that of one's birth)

Pope (1886)Who seek for good the grace of virtuous shame must know; Who seek for noble name to all must reverence show

MeaningHe who desires a good name must desire modesty; and he who desires (the continuance of) a family greatness must be submissive to all

Pope (1886)Who seek with glory to combine honour's untarnished fame, Do no inglorious deeds, though men accord them glory's name

MeaningThose who desire (to maintain their) honour, will surely do nothing dishonourable, even for the sake of fame

Pope (1886)Bow down thy soul, with increase blest, in happy hour; Lift up thy heart, when stript of all by fortune's power

MeaningIn great prosperity humility is becoming; dignity, in great adversity

Pope (1886)Like hairs from off the head that fall to earth, When fall'n from high estate are men of noble birth

MeaningThey who have fallen from their (high) position are like the hair which has fallen from the head

Pope (1886)If meanness, slight as 'abrus' grain, by men be wrought, Though like a hill their high estate, they sink to nought

MeaningEven those who are exalted like a hill will be thought low, if they commit deeds that are debasing

Pope (1886)It yields no praise, nor to the land of Gods throws wide the gate:Why follow men who scorn, and at their bidding wait

MeaningWhy follow men who scorn, and at their bidding wait?

Pope (1886)Better 'twere said, 'He's perished!' than to gainThe means to live, following in foeman's train

MeaningIt is better for a man to be said of him that he died in his usual state than that he eked out his life by following those who disgraced him

Pope (1886)When high estate has lost its pride of honour meet, Is life, that nurses this poor flesh, as nectar sweet

MeaningFor the high-born to keep their body in life when their honour is gone will certainly not prove a remedy against death

Pope (1886)Like the wild ox that, of its tuft bereft, will pine away, Are those who, of their honour shorn, will quit the light of day

MeaningThose who give up (their) life when (their) honour is at stake are like the yark which kills itself at the loss of (even one of) its hairs

Pope (1886)Who, when dishonour comes, refuse to live, their honoured memoryWill live in worship and applause of all the world for aye

MeaningThe world will (always) praise and adore the fame of the honourable who would rather die than suffer indignity

Pope (1886)All men that live are one in circumstances of birth; Diversities of works give each his special worth

MeaningAll human beings agree as regards their birth but differ as regards their characteristics, because of the different qualities of their actions

Pope (1886)The men of lofty line, whose souls are mean, are never greatThe men of lowly birth, when high of soul, are not of low estate

MeaningThough (raised) above, the base cannot become great; though (brought) low, the great cannot become base

Pope (1886)Like single-hearted women, greatness too, Exists while to itself is true

MeaningExists while to itself is true

Pope (1886)The man endowed with greatness true, Rare deeds in perfect wise will do

Meaning(Though reduced) the great will be able to perform, in the proper way, deeds difficult (for others to do)

Pope (1886)'As votaries of the truly great we will ourselves enroll,'Is thought that enters not the mind of men of little soul

MeaningIt is never in the nature of the base to seek the society of the great and partake of their nature

Pope (1886)Whene'er distinction lights on some unworthy head, Then deeds of haughty insolence are bred

MeaningEven nobility of birth, wealth and learning, if in (the possession of) the base, will (only) produce everincreasing pride

Pope (1886)Greatness humbly bends, but littleness alwaysSpreads out its plumes, and loads itself with praise

MeaningThe great will always humble himself; but the mean will exalt himself in self-admiration

Pope (1886)Greatness is absence of conceit; meanness, we deem, Riding on car of vanity supreme

MeaningFreedom from conceit is (the nature of true) greatness; (while) obstinacy therein is (that of) meanness

Pope (1886)Greatness will hide a neighbour's shame; Meanness his faults to all the world proclaim

MeaningThe great hide the faults of others; the base only divulge them

Pope (1886)All goodly things are duties to the men, they sayWho set themselves to walk in virtue's perfect way

MeaningIt is said that those who are conscious of their duty and behave with a perfect goodness will regard as natural all that is good

Pope (1886)The good of inward excellence they claim, The perfect men; all other good is only good in name

MeaningThe only delight of the perfect is that of their goodness; all other (sensual) delights are not to be included among any (true) delights

Pope (1886)The type of 'penitence' is virtuous good that nothing slays; To speak no ill of other men is perfect virtue's praise

MeaningPenance consists in the goodness that kills not , and perfection in the goodness that tells not others' faults

Pope (1886)Submission is the might of men of mighty acts; the sageWith that same weapon stills his foeman's rage

MeaningStooping (to inferiors) is the strength of those who can accomplish (an undertaking); and that is the weapon with which the great avert their foes

Pope (1886)What is perfection's test? The equal mindTo bear repulse from even meaner men resigned

MeaningThe touch-stone of perfection is to receive a defeat even at the hands of one's inferiors

Pope (1886)What fruit doth your perfection yield you, say!Unless to men who work you ill good repay

MeaningOf what avail is perfect goodness if it cannot do pleasing things even to those who have pained (it) ?

Pope (1886)To soul with perfect virtue's strength endued, Brings no disgrace the lack of every earthly good

MeaningPoverty is no disgrace to one who abounds in good qualities

Pope (1886)Call them of perfect virtue's sea the shore, Who, though the fates should fail, fail not for evermore

MeaningThose who are said to be the shore of the sea of perfection will never change, though ages may change

Pope (1886)The mighty earth its burthen to sustain must cease, If perfect virtue of the perfect men decrease

MeaningIf there is a defect in the character of the perfect, (even) the great world cannot bear (its) burden

Pope (1886)Benevolence and high born dignity, These two are beaten paths of courtesy

MeaningAffectionateness and birth in a good family, these two constitute what is called a proper behaviour to all

Pope (1886)Men are not one because their members seem alike to outward view; Similitude of kindred quality makes likeness true

MeaningResemblance of bodies is no resemblance of souls; true resemblance is the resemblance of qualities that attract

Pope (1886)Of men of fruitful life, who kindly benefits dispense, The world unites to praise the 'noble excellence.'

MeaningThe world applauds the character of those whose usefulness results from their equity and charity

Pope (1886)Contempt is evil though in sport They who man's nature know, E'en in their wrath, a courteous mind will show

MeaningReproach is painful to one even in sport; those (therefore) who know the nature of others exhibit (pleasing) qualities even when they are hated

Pope (1886)The world abides; for 'worthy' men its weight sustainWere it not so, 'twould fall to dust again

MeaningThe (way of the) world subsists by contact with the good; if not, it would bury itself in the earth and perish

Pope (1886)Though sharp their wit as file, as blocks they must remain, Whose souls are void of 'courtesy humane'

MeaningHe who is destitute of (true) human qualities (only) resembles a tree, though he may possess the sharpness of a file

Pope (1886)Though men with all unfriendly acts and wrongs assail,'Tis uttermost disgrace in 'courtesy' to fail

MeaningIt is wrong (for the wise) not to exhibit (good) qualities even towards those who bearing no friendship (for them) do only what is hateful

Pope (1886)To him who knows not how to smile in kindly mirth, Darkness in daytime broods o'er all the vast and mighty earth

MeaningTo those who cannot rejoice, the wide world is buried darkness even in (broad) day light

Pope (1886)Like sweet milk soured because in filthy vessel poured, Is ample wealth in churlish man's unopened coffers stored

MeaningThe great wealth obtained by one who has no goodness will perish like pure milk spoilt by the

Pope (1886)Who giving nought, opines from wealth all blessing springs, Degraded birth that doting miser's folly brings

MeaningHe who knows that wealth yields every pleasure and yet is so blind as to lead miserly life will be born a demon

Pope (1886)Who lust to heap up wealth, but glory hold not dear, It burthens earth when on the stage of being they appear

MeaningA burden to the earth are men bent on the acquisition of riches and not (true) fame

Pope (1886)Whom no one loves, when he shall pass away, What doth he look to leave behind, I pray

MeaningWhat will the miser who is not liked (by any one) regard as his own (in the world to come) ?

Pope (1886)Amid accumulated millions they are poor, Who nothing give and nought enjoy of all they store

MeaningThose who neither give (to others) nor enjoy (their property) are (truly) destitute, though possessing immense riches

Pope (1886)Their ample wealth is misery to men of churlish heart, Who nought themselves enjoy, and nought to worthy men impart

MeaningHe who enjoys not (his riches) nor relieves the wants of the worthy is a disease to his wealth

Pope (1886)Like woman fair in lonelihood who aged grows, Is wealth of him on needy men who nought bestows

MeaningThe wealth of him who never bestows anything on the destitute is like a woman of beauty growing old without a husband

Pope (1886)When he whom no man loves exults in great prosperity,'Tis as when fruits in midmost of the town some poisonous tree

MeaningThe wealth of him who is disliked (by all) is like the fruit-bearing of the etty tree in the midst of a town

Pope (1886)Who love abandon, self-afflict, and virtue's way forsakeTo heap up glittering wealth, their hoards shall others take

MeaningTo heap up glittering wealth, their hoards shall others take

Pope (1886)'Tis as when rain cloud in the heaven grows day, When generous wealthy man endures brief poverty

MeaningThe short-lived poverty of those who are noble and rich is like the clouds becoming poor (for a while)

Pope (1886)Food, clothing, and other things alike all beings own; By sense of shame the excellence of men is known

MeaningFood, clothing and the like are common to all men but modesty is peculiar to the good

Pope (1886)All spirits homes of flesh as habitation claim, And perfect virtue ever dwells with shame

MeaningAs the body is the abode of the spirit, so the excellence of modesty is the abode of perfection

Pope (1886)And is not shame an ornament to men of dignity?Without it step of stately pride is piteous thing to see

MeaningIs not the modesty ornament of the noble ? Without it, their haughtiness would be a pain (to others)

Pope (1886)As home of virtuous shame by all the world the men are known, Who feel ashamed for others, guilt as for their own

MeaningThe world regards as the abode of modesty him who fear his own and other's guilt

Pope (1886)Unless the hedge of shame inviolate remain, For men of lofty soul the earth's vast realms no charms retain

MeaningThe great make modesty their barrier (of defence) and not the wide world

Pope (1886)The men of modest soul for shame would life an offering make, But ne'er abandon virtuous shame for life's dear sake

MeaningThe modest would rather lose their life for the sake of modesty than lose modesty for the sake of life

Pope (1886)Though know'st no shame, while all around asha med must be:Virtue will shrink away ashamed of thee

MeaningVirtue is likely to forsake him who shamelessly does what others are ashamed of

Pope (1886)'Twill race consume if right observance fail;'Twill every good consume if shamelessness prevail

MeaningWant of manners injures one's family; but want of modesty injures one's character

Pope (1886)'Tis as with strings a wooden puppet apes life's functions, whenThose void of shame within hold intercourse with men

MeaningThe actions of those who are without modesty at heart are like those of puppet moved by a string

Pope (1886)The manly act and knowledge full, when these combineIn deed prolonged, then lengthens out the race's line

MeaningOne's family is raised by untiring perseverance in both effort and wise contrivances

Pope (1886)'I'll make my race renowned,' if man shall say, With vest succinct the goddess leads the way

MeaningThe Deity will clothe itself and appear before him who resolves on raising his family

Pope (1886)Who labours for his race with unremitting pain, Without a thought spontaneously, his end will gain

MeaningThose who are prompt in their efforts (to better their family) need no deliberation, such efforts will of themselves succeed

Pope (1886)With blameless life who seeks to build his race's fame, The world shall circle him, and kindred claim

MeaningPeople will eagerly seek the friendship of the prosperous soul who has raised his family without foul means

Pope (1886)Of virtuous manliness the world accords the praiseTo him who gives his powers, the house from which he sprang to raise

MeaningA man's true manliness consists in making himself the head and benefactor of his family

Pope (1886)The fearless hero bears the brunt amid the warrior throng; Amid his kindred so the burthen rests upon the strong

MeaningAmid his kindred so the burthen rests upon the strong

Pope (1886)Wait for no season, when you would your house uprear;'Twill perish, if you wait supine, or hold your honour dear

MeaningAs a family suffers by (one's) indolence and false dignity there is to be so season (good or bad) to those who strive to raise their family

Pope (1886)Is not his body vase that various sorrows fill, Who would his household screen from every ill

MeaningIs it only to suffering that his body is exposed who undertakes to preserve his family from evil ?

Pope (1886)When trouble the foundation saps the house must fall, If no strong hand be nigh to prop the tottering wall

MeaningIf there are none to prop up and maintain a family (in distress), it will fall at the stroke of the axe of misfortune

Pope (1886)The ploughers are the linch-pin of the world; they bearThem up who other works perform, too weak its toils to share

MeaningAgriculturists are (as it were) the linch-pin of the world for they support all other workers who cannot till the soil

Pope (1886)Who ploughing eat their food, they truly live:The rest to others bend subservient, eating what they give

MeaningThey alone live who live by agriculture; all others lead a cringing, dependent life

Pope (1886)O'er many a land they 'll see their monarch reign, Whose fields are shaded by the waving grain

MeaningPatriotic farmers desire to bring all other states under the control of their own king

Pope (1886)They nothing ask from others, but to askers give, Who raise with their own hands the food on which they live

MeaningThose whose nature is to live by manual labour will never beg but give something to those who beg

Pope (1886)For those who 've left what all men love no place is found, When they with folded hands remain who till the ground

MeaningIf the farmer's hands are slackened, even the ascetic state will fail

Pope (1886)Reduce your soil to that dry state, When ounce is quarter-ounce's weight; Without one handful of manure, Abundant crops you thus secure

MeaningIf the land is dried so as to reduce one ounce of earth to a quarter, it will grow plentifully even without a handful of manure

Pope (1886)To cast manure is better than to plough; Weed well; to guard is more than watering now

MeaningManuring is better than ploughing; after weeding, watching is better than watering (it)

Pope (1886)When master from the field aloof hath stood; Then land will sulk, like wife in angry mood

MeaningIf the owner does not (personally) attend to his cultivation, his land will behave like an angry wife and yield him no pleasure

Pope (1886)The earth, that kindly dame, will laugh to see, Men seated idle pleading poverty

MeaningThe maiden, Earth, will laugh at the sight of those who plead poverty and lead an idle life

Pope (1886)Malefactor matchless! poverty destroysThis world's and the next world's joys

MeaningWhen cruel poverty comes on, it deprives one of both the present and future (bliss)

Pope (1886)Importunate desire, which poverty men name, Destroys both old descent and goodly fame

MeaningHankering poverty destroys at once the greatness of (one's) ancient descent and (the dignity of one's) speech

Pope (1886)From penury will spring, 'mid even those of noble race, Oblivion that gives birth to words that bring disgrace

MeaningEven in those of high birth, poverty will produce the fault of uttering mean words

Pope (1886)From poverty, that grievous woe, Attendant sorrows plenteous grow

MeaningThe misery of poverty brings in its train many (more) miseries

Pope (1886)Though deepest sense, well understood, the poor man's words convey, Their sense from memory of mankind will fade away

MeaningThe words of the poor are profitless, though they may be sound in thought and clear in expression

Pope (1886)From indigence devoid of virtue's grace, The mother e'en that bare, estranged, will turn her face

MeaningHe that is reduced to absolute poverty will be regarded as a stranger even by his own mother

Pope (1886)And will it come today as yesterday, The grief of want that eats my soul away

MeaningIs the poverty that almost killed me yesterday, to meet me today too ?

Pope (1886)Amid the flames sleep may men's eyelids close, In poverty the eye knows no repose

MeaningOne may sleep in the midst of fire; but by no means in the midst of poverty

Pope (1886)Unless the destitute will utterly themselves deny, They cause their neighbour's salt and vinegar to die

MeaningThe destitute poor, who do not renounce their bodies, only consume their neighbour's salt and water

Pope (1886)Even to ask an alms may pleasure give, If what you ask without annoyance you receive

MeaningEven begging may be pleasant, if what is begged for is obtained without grief (to him that begs)

Pope (1886)The men who nought deny, but know what's due, before their faceTo stand as suppliants affords especial grace

MeaningThere is even a beauty in standing before and begging of those who are liberal in their gifts and understand their duty (to beggars)

Pope (1886)Like giving alms, may even asking pleasant seem, From men who of denial never even dream

MeaningTo beg of such as never think of withholding (their charity) even in their dreams, is in fact the same as giving (it oneself);

Pope (1886)Because on earth the men exist, who never say them nay, Men bear to stand before their eyes for help to pray

MeaningAs there are in the world those that give without refusing, there are (also) those that prefer to beg by simply standing before them

Pope (1886)It those you find from evil of 'denial' free, At once all plague of poverty will flee

MeaningAll the evil of begging will be removed at the sight of those who are far from the evil of refusing

Pope (1886)If men are found who give and no harsh words of scorn employ, The minds of askers, through and through, will thrill with joy

MeaningBeggars rejoice exceedingly when they behold those who bestow (their alms) with kindness and courtesy

Pope (1886)If askers cease, the mighty earth, where cooling fountains flow, Will be a stage where wooden puppets come and go

MeaningIf there were no beggars, (the actions done in) the cool wide world would only resemble the movement of a puppet

Pope (1886)What glory will there be to men of generous soul, When none are found to love the askers' role

MeaningWhat (praise) would there be to givers (of alms) if there were no beggars to ask for and reveive (them)

Pope (1886)Askers refused from wrath must stand aloof; The plague of poverty itself is ample proof

MeaningHe who begs ought not to be angry (at a refusal); for even the misery of (his own) poverty should be a sufficient reason (for so doing)

Pope (1886)If he that shaped the world desires that men should begging go, Through life's long course, let him a wanderer be and perish so

MeaningIf the Creator of the world has decreed even begging as a means of livelihood, may he too go abegging and perish

Pope (1886)Nothing is harder than the hardness that will say,'The plague of penury by asking alms we'll drive away.'

MeaningThere is no greater folly than the boldness with which one seeks to remedy the evils of poverty by begging (rather than by working)

Pope (1886)Who ne'er consent to beg in utmost need, their worthHas excellence of greatness that transcends the earth

MeaningEven the whole world cannot sufficiently praise the dignity that would not beg even in the midst of destitution

Pope (1886)Nothing is sweeter than to taste the toil-won cheer, Though mess of pottage as tasteless as the water clear

MeaningEven thin gruel is ambrosia to him who has obtained it by labour

Pope (1886)E'en if a draught of water for a cow you ask, Nought's so distasteful to the tongue as beggar's task

MeaningThere is nothing more disgraceful to one's tongue than to use it in begging water even for a cow

Pope (1886)One thing I beg of beggars all, 'If beg ye may, Of those who hide their wealth, beg not, I pray.'

MeaningI beseech all beggars and say, "If you need to beg, never beg of those who give unwillingly."

Pope (1886)The fragile bark of beggaryWrecked on denial's rock will lie

MeaningThe unsafe raft of begging will split when it strikes on the rock of refusal

Pope (1886)The heart will melt away at thought of beggary, With thought of stern repulse 'twill perish utterly

MeaningTo think of (the evil of) begging is enough to melt one's heart; but to think of refusal is enough to break it

Pope (1886)E'en as he asks, the shamefaced asker dies; Where shall his spirit hide who help denies

MeaningSaying "No" to a beggar takes away his life. (but as that very word will kill the refuser) where then would the latter's life hide itself ?

Pope (1886)Than those of grateful heart the base must luckier be, Their minds from every anxious thought are free

MeaningThe low enjoy more felicity than those who know what is good; for the former are not troubled with anxiety (as to the good)

Pope (1886)The base are as the Gods; they tooDo ever what they list to do

MeaningThe base resemble the Gods; for the base act as they like

Pope (1886)When base men those behold of conduct vile, They straight surpass them, and exulting smile

MeaningThe base feels proud when he sees persons whose acts meaner than his own

Pope (1886)Fear is the base man's virtue; if that fail, Intense desire some little may avail

Meaning(The principle of) behaviour in the mean is chiefly fear; if not, hope of gain, to some extent

Pope (1886)The base are like the beaten drum; for, when they hearThe sound the secret out in every neighbour's ear

MeaningThe base are like a drum that is beaten, for they unburden to others the secrets they have heard

Pope (1886)From off their moistened hands no clinging grain they shake, Unless to those with clenched fist their jaws who break

MeaningThe mean will not (even) shake off (what sticks to) their hands (soon after a meal) to any but those who would break their jaws with their clenched fists

Pope (1886)The good to those will profit yield fair words who use; The base, like sugar-cane, will profit those who bruise

MeaningThe great bestow (their alms) as soon as they are informed; (but) the mean, like the sugar-cane, only when they are tortured to death

Pope (1886)If neighbours clothed and fed he see, the baseIs mighty man some hidden fault to trace

MeaningThe base will bring an evil (accusation) against others, as soon as he sees them (enjoying) good food

Pope (1886)For what is base man fit, if griefs assail?Himself to offer, there and then, for sale

MeaningThe base will hasten to sell themselves as soon as a calamity has befallen them. For what else are they fitted ?