John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
3636 Alexander Pope 1688-1744 John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 3636 |
| AUTHOR: | Alexander Pope (1688–1744) |
| QUOTATION: | You beat your pate, and fancy wit will come; Knock as you please, there ’s nobody at home. 1 |
| ATTRIBUTION: | Epigram. |
| Note 1. His wit invites you by his looks to come, But when you knock, it never is at home. William Cowper: Conversation, line 303. [back] |