An Essay on Man: In Epistles to a Friend. Epistle II., 1. köide

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J. Wilford, 1733 - 18 pages

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Page 6 - 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 reasoning but to err...
Page 6 - 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!
Page 7 - Uncheck'd may rise, and climb from art to art; But when his own great work is but begun, What Reason weaves, by Passion is undone. Trace Science then, with modesty thy guide; First strip off...
Page 8 - Fix'd like a plant on his peculiar spot, To draw nutrition, propagate, and rot ; Or, meteor-like, flame lawless through the void, Destroying others, by himself destroy'd.
Page 5 - Know then thyself, presume not God to scan; The proper study of Mankind is Man. Plac'd 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...
Page 14 - Fools ! who from hence into the notion fall, That vice or virtue there is none at all. If white and black blend, soften, and unite A thousand ways, is there no black or white?
Page 6 - 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...
Page 9 - Let subtle schoolmen teach these friends to fight, More studious to divide than to unite ; And grace and virtue, sense and reason split, With all the rash dexterity of wit. Wits, just like fools, at war about a name, Have full as oft no meaning, or the same.
Page 17 - Till tir'd he fleeps, and life's poor play is o'er. Meanwhile opinion gilds with varying rays Thofe painted clouds that beautify our days: Each want of happinefs by hope fupply'd, And each vacuity of fenfe by pride : Thefe build as faft as knowledge can deftroy , In folly's cup flill laughs the bubble, joy...
Page 7 - Superior beings, when of late they faw A mortal Man unfold all Nature's Law, Admir'd fuch wifdom in an earthly fhape, And fhew'da NEWTON as we fhew an Ape. Could he, whofe rules the rapid Comet bind, 35 Defcribe or fix one movement of his Mind ? Who faw its fires here rife, and there...

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