--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Know then thyself; presume not God to…" description: "\"“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 rude..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/838/alexander-pope-235_doubt_know-then-thyself-presume-not-god-to-sca_774959.jpg" --- # Know then thyself; presume not God to scan, The proper… ![“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…” quote by Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/838/alexander-pope-235_doubt_know-then-thyself-presume-not-god-to-sca_774959.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/838/alexander-pope-235_doubt_know-then-thyself-presume-not-god-to-sca_774959.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/838/alexander-pope-235_doubt_know-then-thyself-presume-not-god-to-sca_774959.jpg) > ““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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human existence is caught between excessive knowledge and limited power, leading to perpetual doubt about action and identity. **In simple terms:** Man is torn between knowledge and weakness, causing indecision. Key Takeaway Accept uncertainty and act despite doubt. Themes human nature philosophy identity knowledge power Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal decision-making - leadership - creative resolution - spiritual growth - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts existentialism stoicism skepticism Questions to Reflect On - How do you navigate doubt in choices? - What limits does knowledge impose on action? A Different Perspective Overanalysis can paralyze action; balance is needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Know thyself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-thyself/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Stoic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stoic/) ## Related quotes > [“Know then thyself, presume not God to scan, The proper study of mankind is Man. Placed on this isthmus of a middle state, A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/know-then-thyself-presume-not-god-to-scan-the-proper-study-of-mankind-2/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Know then thyself, presume not God to scan; The proper study of mankind is man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/know-then-thyself-presume-not-god-to-scan-the-proper-study-of-mankind-3/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [“Know thyself, presume not God to scan; The proper study of mankind is man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/know-thyself-presume-not-god-to-scan-the-proper-study-of-mankind-is/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [The proper study of Mankind is Man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/the-proper-study-of-mankind-is-man/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [If, presume not to God to scan; The proper study of Mankind is Man. Plac'd on this isthmus of a middle state, a being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/if-presume-not-to-god-to-scan-the-proper-study-of-mankind-is-man-plac/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [“Writing is an exhausting and demoralizing task that destroys human conceits. Writing an elongated series of personal essay opens a person’s mind to explore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kilroy-j-oldster/writing-is-an-exhausting-and-demoralizing-task-that-destroys-human/) [Kilroy J. Oldster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kilroy-j-oldster/) > [The proper study of mankind is man in his relation to his deity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/the-proper-study-of-mankind-is-man-in-his-relation-to-his-deity/) [D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/) > [“Human relations is the study of mankind, with the purpose of revealing and removing the basic causes of conflicts among men.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/validivar/human-relations-is-the-study-of-mankind-with-the-purpose-of-revealing/) Validivar > [The proper study of mankind is woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/the-proper-study-of-mankind-is-woman/) [Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/) > [The true science and study of mankind is man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-charron/the-true-science-and-study-of-mankind-is-man/) [Pierre Charron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-charron/) > [For if the proper study of mankind is man, it is evidently more sensible to occupy yourself with the coherent, substantial and significant creatures…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/for-if-the-proper-study-of-mankind-is-man-it-is-evidently-more/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“The noblest study of mankind is Man, says Man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-thurber/the-noblest-study-of-mankind-is-man-says-man/) [James Thurber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-thurber/) > [The proper study of Mankind is Everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/the-proper-study-of-mankind-is-everything/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“Oh! A mystery is it?' I cried, rubbing my hands. 'This is very piquant. I am much obliged to you for bringing us together.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-doyle/oh-a-mystery-is-it-i-cried-rubbing-my-hands-this-is-very-piquant-i-am/) Arthur Doyle > [They who study mankind with a whip in their hands will always go wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/they-who-study-mankind-with-a-whip-in-their-hands-will-always-go-wrong/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) ## More by Alexander Pope > [How do we know that we have a right to kill creatures that we are so little above, as dogs, for our curiosity or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/how-do-we-know-that-we-have-a-right-to-kill-creatures-that-we-are-so/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [To wake the soul by tender strokes of art, To raise the genius, and to mend the heart; To make mankind, in conscious virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/to-wake-the-soul-by-tender-strokes-of-art-to-raise-the-genius-and-to/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [A mighty maze! But not without a plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/a-mighty-maze-but-not-without-a-plan/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Let such teach others who themselves excel, And censure freely who have written well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/let-such-teach-others-who-themselves-excel-and-censure-freely-who/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [For I, who hold sage Homer's rule the best, Welcome the coming, speed the going guest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/for-i-who-hold-sage-homer-s-rule-the-best-welcome-the-coming-speed/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Like following life through creatures you dissect, You lose it in the moment you detect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/like-following-life-through-creatures-you-dissect-you-lose-it-in-the/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [When two people compliment each other with the choice of anything, each of them generally gets that which he likes least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/when-two-people-compliment-each-other-with-the-choice-of-anything/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Such labour'd nothings, in so strange a style, Amaze th' unlearn'd and make the learned smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/such-labour-d-nothings-in-so-strange-a-style-amaze-th-unlearn-d-and/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-the-soul/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [She went from opera, park, assembly, play, To morning walks, and prayers three hours a day. To part her time 'twixt reading and bohea,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/she-went-from-opera-park-assembly-play-to-morning-walks-and-prayers/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [I am satisfied to trifle away my time, rather than let it stick by me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/i-am-satisfied-to-trifle-away-my-time-rather-than-let-it-stick-by-me/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [The greatest advantage I know of being thought a wit by the world is, that it gives one the greater freedom of playing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/the-greatest-advantage-i-know-of-being-thought-a-wit-by-the-world-is/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Then say not Man's imperfect,Heav'n in fault; Say rather, Man's as perfect ashe ought:](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/then-say-not-man-s-imperfect-heav-n-in-fault-say-rather-man-s-as/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [First follow Nature, and your judgment frame By her just standard, which is still the same: Unerring nature, still divinely bright, One clear, unchanged,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/first-follow-nature-and-your-judgment-frame-by-her-just-standard/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Who shall decide when doctors disagree, And soundest casuists doubt, like you and me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/who-shall-decide-when-doctors-disagree-and-soundest-casuists-doubt/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) [Explore all 850 Alexander Pope quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## More Doubt quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) Ted Martinez > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [I don't doubt that straight white men have identity issues and identity complexes and struggle with defining themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-simien/i-don-t-doubt-that-straight-white-men-have-identity-issues-and/) [Justin Simien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-simien/) > [“Where there is doubt (shanka), there is misery. The moment one begins to doubt the knowledge that, 'I am Chandubhai,' misery arises. Once one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/where-there-is-doubt-shanka-there-is-misery-the-moment-one-begins-to/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-with-knowledge-doubt/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/) [Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/) > [How could you feel worthless when God has honoured you by creating you and choosing you to be with Him, in this life and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/how-could-you-feel-worthless-when-god-has-honoured-you-by-creating/) [Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/) > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. On the contrary, the deep, inexpressible certitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/let-no-one-hope-to-find-in-contemplation-an-escape-from-conflict-from/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“Two powerful, little words I've learned to use when facing challenges, fears, and doubts— so what? ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/two-powerful-little-words-i-ve-learned-to-use-when-facing-challenges/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible - and no one can now doubt the word of America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/for-diplomacy-to-be-effective-words-must-be-credible-and-no-one-can/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Vision motivates, sustains and dispels doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-young/vision-motivates-sustains-and-dispels-doubt/) [Thomas Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-young/) > [One may not doubt that, somehow Good Shall come of Water and of Mud; And sure, the reverent eye must see A purpose in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-brooke/one-may-not-doubt-that-somehow-good-shall-come-of-water-and-of-mud/) [Rupert Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-brooke/) > [Let smiles overshadow sadness. Let faith make you believe. Let confidence wash away doubts. Let love complete your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/let-smiles-overshadow-sadness-let-faith-make-you-believe-let/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [When in doubt, suggest that a subcommittee be appointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-chapman/when-in-doubt-suggest-that-a-subcommittee-be-appointed/) Harry Chapman > [“Those who contemplate never escape the doubt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henning-mankell/those-who-contemplate-never-escape-the-doubt/) [Henning Mankell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henning-mankell/) [Browse all 9,582 Doubt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Know then thyself; presume not God to scan, The proper study of mankind is Man. 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