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" Know then thyself; presume not God to scan,
The proper study of mankind is Man.
Placed on this isthmus of a middle state,
A being darkly wise and rudely great:
With too much knowledge for the Sceptic side,
And too much weakness for the Stoic's pride,
He hangs between; in doubt to act or rest;
In doubt to deem himself a God or Beast;
In doubt his mind or body to prefer;
Born but to die, and reas'ning but to err.
Alike in ignorance, his reason such,
Whether he thinks too little or too much. "

Alexander Pope , An Essay on Man


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Alexander Pope quote : Know then thyself; presume not God to scan,<br />The proper study of mankind is Man.<br />Placed on this isthmus of a middle state,<br />A being darkly wise and rudely great:<br />With too much knowledge for the Sceptic side,<br />And too much weakness for the Stoic's pride,<br />He hangs between; in doubt to act or rest;<br />In doubt to deem himself a God or Beast;<br />In doubt his mind or body to prefer;<br />Born but to die, and reas'ning but to err.<br />Alike in ignorance, his reason such,<br />Whether he thinks too little or too much.