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 />With 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;<br />Chaos of thought and passion, all confused;<br />Still by himself abused or disabused;<br />Created half to rise, and half to fall;<br />Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all;<br />Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurl'd;<br />The glory, jest, and riddle of the world!<br />Go, wondrous creature! mount where science guides,<br />Go, measure earth, weigh air, and state the tides;<br />Instruct the planets in what orbs to run,<br />Correct old time, and regulate the sun;<br />Go, soar with Plato to th’ empyreal sphere,<br />To the first good, first perfect, and first fair;<br />Or tread the mazy round his followers trod,<br />And quitting sense call imitating God;<br />As Eastern priests in giddy circles run,<br />And turn their heads to imitate the sun.<br />Go, teach Eternal Wisdom how to rule—<br />Then drop into thyself, and be a fool!