In 1734, English poet Alexander Pope completed his four-part poem, "Essay on Man." The poem presents Pope's philos
from Essay on Man
Two principles in human nature reign;
Self-love to urge, and reason, to restrain;
Nor this a good, nor that a bad we call,
Each works its end, to move or govern all
And to their proper operation still,
Ascribe all good; to their improper, ill.
(from "Essay on Man" by Alexander Pope)
What is the role of Line 2 in the excerpt?
1. It establishes the idea that it is more admirable to be motivated by reason than by self-love.
2. It presents the idea that self-love and reason can serve good or bad ends if used without restraint.
3. It clarifies the poet's view that human nature is flawed because people always act out of self-love not reason
4. It introduces the poet's view that human nature is balanced by the contrasting motivations of self-love and