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Jackson6612 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
And drinking largely sobers us again
Coyul you please hep me to under the following piece?
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. -- Alexander Pope
Pierian spring: metaphorical source of knowledge of art and science
Drink deep: drink considerably
sober: not drunk
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. -- Alexander Pope
Pierian spring: metaphorical source of knowledge of art and science
Drink deep: drink considerably
sober: not drunk
Top answer
The first line tells it all. ) There's also the dilettante. Pope suggests that if you're not going to be serious about your intellectual pursuits, just stay out of it.
- The first line tells it all.
- ) There's also the dilettante.
- Pope suggests that if you're not going to be serious about your intellectual pursuits, just stay out of it.
- Dabbling in knowledge makes you giddy.
- Only when you make a full committment will you attain true strength, balance, and control.
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6 Answers
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The first line tells it all.
I'm reminded of those who are labeled "sophmoric," or "wise fools."
Sometimes we say, "He knows just enough to be dangerous." (Eg, an amateur electrician.)
There's also the dilettante.
Pope suggests that if you're not going to be serious about your intellectual pursuits, just stay out of it.
Dabbling in knowledge makes you
I'm reminded of those who are labeled "sophmoric," or "wise fools."
Sometimes we say, "He knows just enough to be dangerous." (Eg, an amateur electrician.)
There's also the dilettante.
Pope suggests that if you're not going to be serious about your intellectual pursuits, just stay out of it.
Dabbling in knowledge makes you
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Jackson6612And drinking largely sobers us againThis is an unusual application of "largely."
When I first read it, I took it as "(After drinking lightly) we are sobered, to a great extent,
by (additional) drinking of/from the Pierian spring." (a bit unsatisfactory)
I now realize it really means "drinking well
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Thanks a lot, Avangi.
AvangiWhen I first read it, I took it as "(After drinking lightly) we are sobered, to a great extent, by (additional) drinking of/from the Pierian spring." (a bit unsatisfactory)I would have used 'off' instead because 'off' has 'from' as one of its senses. Do I make any sense? I don't really know what you had in mind when you use
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I understand what you mean, but I'd say that usage is unidiomatic, or very low register casual at best.
Don't drink directly off the faucet!
This would be understood, but "from" would be the accepted choice.
My neighbor is tapping power directly off the light pole. In this case, "off" and "from" are equally acceptable. Go figure.
He wa
Don't drink directly off the faucet!
This would be understood, but "from" would be the accepted choice.
My neighbor is tapping power directly off the light pole. In this case, "off" and "from" are equally acceptable. Go figure.
He wa
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Jackson6612Which usage is unidiomatic, of "off" or "of"? You used "of"."Drinking off the Pierian Spring" is unidiomatic, IMHO.
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