Language
Alexander Pope
A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that he is wiser to-day than he was yesterday.
The hungry judges soon the sentence sign,
Coffee, (which makes the politician wise,
Here thou, great Anna! whom three realms obey,
Let humble Allen, with an awkward shame,
Get place and wealth, if possible, with grace;
For forms of government let fools contest;
The learn’d is happy nature to explore,
Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
Created half to rise, and half to fall;
And, spite of Pride, in erring Reason’s spite,
Eye Nature’s walks, shoot Folly as it flies,
Men must be taught as if you taught them not,
Some praise at morning what they blame at night;
A little learning is a dangerous thing;
Nature, and Nature’s laws lay hid in night.
’Tis education forms the common mind,
Search then the Ruling Passion: There, alone,
’Tis use alone that sanctifies expense.
The ruling passion, be it what it will,
Die, and endow a college, or a cat.
Unlearn’d, he knew no schoolman’s subtle art,
