(no subject)
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 skeptic's 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
Born but to die, and reasoning but to err
Alike in reasoning, his reason such
Whether he thinks too little, or too much
Chaos of thought abused, or disabused
Created half to rise, and half to fall
Great lord of all things, yet prey to all
Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurled
The glory, jest, and riddle of the world
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 skeptic's 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
Born but to die, and reasoning but to err
Alike in reasoning, his reason such
Whether he thinks too little, or too much
Chaos of thought abused, or disabused
Created half to rise, and half to fall
Great lord of all things, yet prey to all
Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurled
The glory, jest, and riddle of the world