Alexander Pope (21 May 1688 – 30 May 1744 / London / England)

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

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

''Be thou the first true merit to befriend;
His praise is lost who stays till all commend.''

''Is pride, the never-failing vice of fools.''

''Some have at first for wits, then poets passed,
Turned critics next, and proved plain fools at last.''

''Learn hence for ancient rules a just esteem;
To copy Nature is to copy them.''

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

''True ease in writing comes from art, not chance,
As those move easiest who have learn'd to dance.
'Tis not enough no harshness gives offence,
The sound must seem an echo to the sense:''

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

''Good nature and good sense must ever join;
To err is human, to forgive divine.''