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, | 5 |
With 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 reasoning but to err; | 10 |
Alike in ignorance, his reason such, | |
Whether he thinks too little or too much: | |
Chaos of thought and passion, all confus’d; | |
Still by himself abused or disabused; | |
Created half to rise, and half to fall; | 15 |
Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all; | |
Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurled: | |
The glory, jest, and riddle of the world! -Alexander Pope (I've never understood humanism better than after reading this) |