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
Men of genius are often dull and inert in society; as the blazing meteor, when it descends to earth, is only a stone.
Interpretation
Genius may not always manifest dynamically in social situations, similar to how a meteor loses its brilliance upon landing.
This quote suggests that true genius, while often brilliant and impactful in certain contexts, can appear dull and unremarkable in the everyday world. The metaphor of a meteor emphasizes that even the most extraordinary talents can become grounded and less impressive when subjected to the conventions of social interaction, highlighting the disparity between extraordinary abilities and their practical expressions.
In practice
This quote could be used in a discussion about the challenges faced by creative individuals in conventional workplaces.
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!
There 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.
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.
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.
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.
In the long run men hit only what they aim at.
Only the suppressed word is dangerous.
Every search begins with beginner’s luck. And every search ends with the victor’s being severely tested.
Whatever happens, do not lose hold of the two main ropes of life - hope and faith.
The weak overcomes the strong. The soft overcomes the hard. Everybody in the world knows this, still nobody makes use of it.
Hurting a man in his dignity is a crime.
The next time you find yourself alone in a dark alley facing the undeniables of life, don't cover them with a blanket, or ignore them with a nervous grin. Don't turn up the TV and pretend they aren't there. Instead, stand still, whisper his name, and listen. He is nearer than you think.
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