O suffering, sad humanity! O ye afflicted ones, who lie Steeped to the lips in misery, Longing, yet afraid to die, Patient, though sorely tried!
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
Nor deem the irrevocable Past _x000D_ As wholly wasted, wholly vain, _x000D_ If, rising on its wrecks, at last _x000D_ To something nobler we attain.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The past should not be viewed as wasted if it leads to growth and progress toward something better.
This quote emphasizes the idea that past experiences, even when negative or challenging, have value as they contribute to personal growth and the attainment of greater goals. Longfellow suggests that, instead of dismissing or regretting the past, we should acknowledge it as a stepping stone that can ultimately lead us to achieve nobler aspirations.
Themes
PastGrowthProgressNobilityWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about overcoming hardships.
More from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
All quotes βThere are moments in life, when the heart is so full of emotion That if by chance it be shaken, or into its depths like a pebble Drops some careless word, it overflows, and its secret, Spilt on the ground like water, can never be gathered together.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
To be seventy years old is like climbing the Alps. You reach a snow-crowned summit, and see behind you the deep valley stretching miles and miles away, and before you other summits higher and whiter, which you may have strength to climb, or may not. Then you sit down and meditate and wonder which it will be.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
God is not dead; nor doth He sleep; ... _x000D_ The wrong shall fail,_x000D_ The right prevail,_x000D_ With peace on earth, good will to men.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
In the long run men hit only what they aim at.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
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So, friends, every day do something that won't compute. Love the Lord. Love the world. Work for nothing. Take all that you have and be poor. Love someone who does not deserve it. Denounce the government and embrace the flag. Hope to live in that free republic for which it stands.
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So with each advance in understanding come new questions. So we need to be very humble. We shouldnβt have hubris and think that we can understand everything. But history tells us that there is good reason to believe that we will continue making fantastic progress in the years ahead.
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The nearest way to glory a shortcut, as it were is to strive to be what you wish to be thought to be.
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Each man has his own vocation; his talent is his call. There is one direction in which all space is open to him.
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