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
Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes that our actions can leave a lasting impact on the world.
Longfellow's quote reflects on the legacy individuals create through their actions and achievements. It suggests that the lives and contributions of influential people inspire all of us to pursue greatness and to strive for a life that is meaningful, ultimately resulting in a memorable legacy that 'leaves footprints' in history.
Themes
LegacyImpactGreatnessInspirationTime
In practice
Example use cases
This quote is perfect for a graduation speech, encouraging graduates to strive for greatness.
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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