To sigh for ribands if thou art so silly,
Mark how they grace Lord Umbra or Sir Billy.
Is yellow dirt the passion of thy life?
Look but on Gripus or on Gripus' wife.
If parts allure thee, think how Bacon shined,
The wisest, brightest, meanest of mankind!
Or, ravish'd with the whistling of a name,
See Cromwell damn'd to everlasting fame!
If all united thy ambition call,
From ancient story learn to scorn them all.

In this passage from "An Essay on Man," Alexander Pope critiques the flawed pursuit of external rewards—such as wealth, fame, and prestige—as paths to happiness. He suggests that these superficial trappings often lead to disillusionment and moral compromise. By invoking figures like Francis Bacon, whom he describes as "the wisest, brightest, meanest of mankind," and Oliver Cromwell, "damn'd to everlasting fame," Pope underscores the paradox of their brilliance and moral shortcomings. Bacon, for example, was a luminary in philosophy and science but was marred by accusations of corruption. Similarly, Cromwell’s historical impact is overshadowed by the contentious nature of his leadership. Pope's argument is clear: true happiness and virtue are found not in chasing worldly accolades but in aligning oneself with a higher moral order and accepting one’s place in the grand design of Providence.