Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.
Alexander PopeRead
Fools admire, but men of sense approve.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True understanding comes from discernment rather than blind admiration.
This quote by Alexander Pope highlights the difference between superficial admiration and thoughtful approval. While fools may be easily impressed and fall for surface-level qualities, those with wisdom and discernment take time to evaluate and genuinely approve of qualities or actions based on deeper understanding and insight.
Themes
WisdomDiscernmentUnderstandingApprovalAdmiration
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about critical thinking, one might say, 'As Alexander Pope wisely noted, fools admire, but men of sense approve.'
More from Alexander Pope
All quotes βWhat dire offence from am'rous causes springs, What mighty contests rise from trivial things.
Alexander PopeRead
Fair tresses man's imperial race ensnare; And beauty draws us with a single hair.
Alexander PopeRead
An honest man's the noblest work of God.
Alexander PopeRead
One thought of thee puts all the pomp to flight;_x000D_ _x000D_ Priests, tapers, temples, swim before my sight.
Alexander PopeRead
Who breaks a butterfly on a wheel?
Alexander PopeRead
Similar quotes
The only secret I can claim to have is concentration, and that's something that can't be taught.
Lucian FreudRead
I was trundling around with my inadequacies, and inner pain and loneliness. I yearned, desperately, to be something. I yearned to get out from where I was ... some deep discontent within myself, actually some deep dislike of myself.
Anthony HopkinsRead
Never lie under any circumstances.
Warren BuffettRead
The proof of spiritual maturity is not how pure you are but awareness of your impurity. That very awareness opens the door to grace.
Philip YanceyRead
A falcon who chases a warlike crane can only hope for a life of pain.
Gabriel Garcia MarquezRead
Good advice is rarer than rubies.
Salman RushdieRead