Quote by Alexander Pope, Essay on Critici
A little learning is a dangerous thing;Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,And drinking largely sobers us again.
Summary
This quote by Alexander Pope, from his poem "An Essay on Criticism," suggests that having a limited knowledge or understanding of something can be dangerous. The analogy of a shallow drink from the Pierian spring, which was believed to grant poetic inspiration, symbolizes superficial knowledge that can cause confusion and delusion. However, if one strives for a deeper understanding by drinking deeply from this spring, they will find clarity and a clearer perspective, since acquiring more knowledge allows for a more grounded and sober understanding of a subject.