Man, like the generous vine, supported lives; The strength he gains is from the embrace he gives.
 Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man (1734). copy citation

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Author Alexander Pope
Source An Essay on Man
Topic strength support
Date 1734
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2428/2428-h/2428-h.htm

Context

“His can't be wrong whose life is in the right: In faith and hope the world will disagree, But all mankind's concern is charity: All must be false that thwart this one great end; And all of God, that bless mankind or mend. Man, like the generous vine, supported lives; The strength he gains is from the embrace he gives. On their own axis as the planets run, Yet make at once their circle round the sun; So two consistent motions act the soul; And one regards itself, and one the whole. Thus God and Nature linked the general frame, And bade self-love and social be the same.” source