--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Placed on this isthmus of a middle state…" description: "\"Placed on this isthmus of a middle state, A being darkly wise and rudely great... He hangs between; in doubt to act or rest; In doubt to deem himself a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a9/alexander-pope-235_atheism_placed-on-this-isthmus-of-a-middle-state_1026431.png" --- # Placed on this isthmus of a middle state, A being darkly… ![“Placed on this isthmus of a middle state, A being darkly wise and rudely great... 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 to die, and reasoning but to err.” quote by Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a9/alexander-pope-235_atheism_placed-on-this-isthmus-of-a-middle-state_1026431.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a9/alexander-pope-235_atheism_placed-on-this-isthmus-of-a-middle-state_1026431.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a9/alexander-pope-235_atheism_placed-on-this-isthmus-of-a-middle-state_1026431.png) > “Placed on this isthmus of a middle state, A being darkly wise and rudely great... 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 to die, and reasoning but to err.” [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. The speaker describes a conflicted existence torn between greatness and doubt, questioning identity and purpose. **In simple terms:** A conflicted soul unsure of its nature. Key Takeaway Embrace uncertainty and seek clarity. Themes identity existence doubt philosophy Mood contemplative melancholic Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - career decisions - personal crises - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts human nature self‑reflection existential angst Questions to Reflect On - What choices are you hesitating on? - How does doubt shape your self‑view? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on indecision can paralyze action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Beast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beast/) [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born/) [Born to die](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born-to-die/) [Darkly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkly-424009/) [Darkly Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkly-wise-1002787/) [Dies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dies/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Doubt Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt-mind-447037/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Middle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Placed Isthmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/placed-isthmus-2318915/) [Rage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rage/) [Reasoning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reasoning/) [Sceptic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sceptic/) [State Darkly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-darkly-2318914/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [Placed on this isthmus of a middle state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/placed-on-this-isthmus-of-a-middle-state/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [If I do something caring for a friend, I have no doubt in my mind they would do it for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-king/if-i-do-something-caring-for-a-friend-i-have-no-doubt-in-my-mind-they/) [Larry King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-king/) > [There has never been any doubt in my mind about anything to do with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicklas-bendtner/there-has-never-been-any-doubt-in-my-mind-about-anything-to-do-with-me/) [Nicklas Bendtner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicklas-bendtner/) > [If I never had any mental health issues, there's no doubt in my mind I'd still be playing,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mardy-fish/if-i-never-had-any-mental-health-issues-there-s-no-doubt-in-my-mind-i/) [Mardy Fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mardy-fish/) > [I will do whatever the UFC tells me to do, but there's not a doubt in my mind that I can be champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-alvarez/i-will-do-whatever-the-ufc-tells-me-to-do-but-there-s-not-a-doubt-in/) [Eddie Alvarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-alvarez/) > [Neither of us knows what the public will think. There's no doubt in my mind that I have found out how to begin (at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/neither-of-us-knows-what-the-public-will-think-there-s-no-doubt-in-my/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [“But then arises the doubt, can the mind of man, which has, as I fully believe been developed from a mind as low as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/but-then-arises-the-doubt-can-the-mind-of-man-which-has-as-i-fully/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) > [I want to play, there's no doubt in my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicklas-bendtner/i-want-to-play-there-s-no-doubt-in-my-mind/) [Nicklas Bendtner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicklas-bendtner/) > [I know you haven't made your mind up yet But I would never do you wrong I've known it from the moment that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adele/i-know-you-haven-t-made-your-mind-up-yet-but-i-would-never-do-you/) [Adele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adele/) > [NO DOUBT IN MY MIND WHERE YOU BELONG.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyssa/no-doubt-in-my-mind-where-you-belong/) [ALYSSA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyssa/) > [There is always that thing when you step up a level and you worry, am I going to be good enough? There's always doubt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/there-is-always-that-thing-when-you-step-up-a-level-and-you-worry-am/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [Because I realized during the past few days that I can’t leave doubt in anyone’s mind about to whom you belong. Especially not yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/because-i-realized-during-the-past-few-days-that-i-can-t-leave-doubt/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [I had a constant fear, a constant little doubt in my mind: 'OK, I'm getting ready to do my standing back full on beam…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-johnson/i-had-a-constant-fear-a-constant-little-doubt-in-my-mind-ok-i-m/) [Shawn Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-johnson/) > [There’s no doubt in my mind that McMurphy’s won, but I’m not sure what.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-kesey/there-s-no-doubt-in-my-mind-that-mcmurphy-s-won-but-i-m-not-sure-what/) [Ken Kesey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-kesey/) ## 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 Atheism quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You cannot ... transmute some incoherent mixture of words into sense merely by introducing the three-letter word "God" to be its grammatical subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-flew/you-cannot-transmute-some-incoherent-mixture-of-words-into-sense/) [Antony Flew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-flew/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [If, with all the time at my disposal, with all the wealth of the resources of this vast universe, to do with as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/if-with-all-the-time-at-my-disposal-with-all-the-wealth-of-the/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [Do you think that was kind? Do you think it was godlike? What would you think of a physician, if a woman came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-h-gardener/do-you-think-that-was-kind-do-you-think-it-was-godlike-what-would-you/) [Helen H. Gardener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-h-gardener/) > [Science can destroy religion by ignoring it as well as by disproving its tenets. No one ever demonstrated, so far as I am aware,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/science-can-destroy-religion-by-ignoring-it-as-well-as-by-disproving/) [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [Honest investigation is utterly impossible within the pale of any church, for the reason, that if you think the church is right you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/honest-investigation-is-utterly-impossible-within-the-pale-of-any/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) [Browse all 4,769 Atheism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Placed on this isthmus of a middle state, A being darkly wise and rudely great... 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