Alexander Pope Quotes on Art (15 Quotes)

Persons of genius, and those who are most capable of art, are always most fond of nature as such are chiefly sensible, that all art consists in the imitation and study of nature.

From vulgar bounds with brave disorder part, And snatch a grace beyond the reach of art.

I believe it is no wrong Observation, that Persons of Genius, and those who are most capable of Art, are always fond of Nature, as such are chiefly sensible, that all Art consists in the Imitation and Study of Nature. On the contrary, People of the common Level of Understanding are principally delighted with the Little Niceties and Fantastical Operations of Art, and constantly think that finest which is least Natural.

So vast is art, so narrow human wit.

How loved, how honored once, avails thee not, To whom related, or by whom begot A heap of dust alone remains of thee 'Tis all thou art, and all the proud shall be.

Unlearn'd, he knew no schoolman's subtle art, No language, but the language of the heart.

A work of art that contains theories is like an object on which the price tag has been left.

True ease in writing comes from art, not chance, as those who move easiest have learned to dance.

Not to admire, is all the art I know To make men happy, and to keep them so.

To wake the soul by tender strokes of art, To raise the genius, and to mend the heart To make mankind, in conscious virtue bold, Live o'er each Seene, and be what they behold For this the Tragic Muse first trod the stage.

Ev'n copious Dryden wanted, or forgot, The last and greatest art, the art to blot.

His moral pleases, not his pointed wit;
Forgot his epic, nay Pindaric art,
But still I love the language of his heart.

One science only will one genius fit; so vast is art, so narrow human wit.

All nature is but art, unknown to thee All chance, direction, which thou canst not see All discord, harmony not understood All partial evil, universal good And spite of pride, in erring reason's spite, One truth is clear, Whatever is, is right.

A heap of dust alone remains of thee 'Tis all thou art, and the proud shall be.