An Essay on Criticism

Learn then what morals critics ought to show,For 'tis but half a judge's task, to know.

— An Essay on Criticism

Be silent always when you doubt your sense.

— An Essay on Criticism

'Tis not enough your Counsel still be true,And Things unknown propos'd as Things forgot.

— An Essay on Criticism

The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read,All books he reads, and all he reads assails.

— An Essay on Criticism

No Place so Sacred from such Fops is barr'd,For fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

— An Essay on Criticism

But where's the man who counsel can bestow,Still pleased to teach, and yet not proud to know?

— An Essay on Criticism

Careless of censure, nor too fond of fame,Not free from faults, nor yet too vain to mend.

— An Essay on Criticism

Ten Censure wrong for one who Writes amiss.

— An Essay on Criticism

'Tis with our judgements as our watches, noneGo just alike, yet each believes his own.

— An Essay on Criticism

Let such teach others who themselves excel,And censure freely who have written well.

— An Essay on Criticism

Some are bewildered in the maze of schools,And some made coxcombs nature meant but fools.

— An Essay on Criticism

One science only will one genius fit:So vast is art, so narrow human wit.

— An Essay on Criticism

Wit and judgment often are at strife,Though meant each other's aid, like man and wife.

— An Essay on Criticism

Some Figures monstrous and mis-shap'd appear, Due Distance reconciles to Form and Grace.

— An Essay on Criticism

A prudent Chief not always must display Nor is it Homer Nods, but We that Dream.

— An Essay on Criticism

Of all the causes which conspire to blind Is pride, the never-failing vice of fools.

— An Essay on Criticism

Trust not your self; but your Defects to know,Make use of ev'ry Friend — and ev'ry Foe.

— An Essay on Criticism

A little Learning is a dang'rous Thing;And drinking largely sobers us again.

— An Essay on Criticism

'Tis not a lip, or eye, we beauty call,But the joint force and full result of all.

— An Essay on Criticism

Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see,Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be.

— An Essay on Criticism

True wit is nature to advantage dressed,What oft was thought, but ne'er so well expressed.

— An Essay on Criticism

Words are like leaves; and where they most abound,Much fruit of sense beneath is rarely found.

— An Essay on Criticism

Such labored nothings, in so strange a style,Amaze th' unlearned, and make the learned smile.

— An Essay on Criticism

In words, as fashions, the same rule will hold,Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.

— An Essay on Criticism

As some to church repair,And ten low words oft creep in one dull line.

— An Essay on Criticism

Then, at the last and only couplet fraughtThat, like a wounded snake, drags its slow length along.

— An Essay on Criticism

At ev'ry Trifle scorn to take Offence, That always shows Great Pride, or Little Sense.

— An Essay on Criticism

Yet not let each gay turn thy rapture move;For fools admire, but men of sense approve.

— An Essay on Criticism

Some judge of authors' names, not works, and thenNor praise nor blame the writings, but the men.

— An Essay on Criticism

What woeful stuff this madrigal would be,How the wit brightens! how the style refines!

— An Essay on Criticism

Some praise at morning what they blame at night,But always think the last opinion right.

— An Essay on Criticism

We think our fathers fools, so wise we grow;Our wiser sons, no doubt, will think us so.

— An Essay on Criticism

Fondly we think we honour Merit then,When we but praise Our selves in Other Men.

— An Essay on Criticism

Be thou the first true Merit to befriend;His praise is lost, who stays till All commend.

— An Essay on Criticism

Ah ne'er so dire a Thirst of Glory boast,To err is human, to forgive divine.

— An Essay on Criticism

All seems Infected that th' Infected spy,As all looks yellow to the Jaundic'd Eye.

— An Essay on Criticism