Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.
Alexander PopeRead
Happy the man whose wish and care a few paternal acres bound, content to breathe his native air in his own ground.
Interpretation
True happiness comes from appreciating what you have and finding contentment in your surroundings.
In this quote, Alexander Pope highlights the joy that comes from being satisfied with one's simple life and surroundings. He portrays the image of a man who is happy and fulfilled because he cherishes his modest piece of land and the familiarity of his native environment, suggesting that true contentment stems from being rooted in one's own life rather than seeking greater wealth or status.
In practice
In a speech about finding joy in simple living.
Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.
What dire offence from am'rous causes springs, What mighty contests rise from trivial things.
Fair tresses man's imperial race ensnare; And beauty draws us with a single hair.
An honest man's the noblest work of God.
One thought of thee puts all the pomp to flight;_x000D_ _x000D_ Priests, tapers, temples, swim before my sight.
Who breaks a butterfly on a wheel?
If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.
Short is the joy that guilty pleasure brings.
Joy is a sign of generosity. When you are full of joy, you move faster and you want to go about doing good to everyone.
All our sweetest hours fly fastest.
I am eternally grateful for my knack of finding in great books, some of them very funny books, reason enough to feel honored to be alive, no matter what else might be going on.
You will never find a truly happy self-centered person. They simply don't exist.
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