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
What this quote means
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.
Themes
GeniusSocietyBrillianceMediocrityTalent
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the challenges faced by creative individuals in conventional workplaces.
More from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
All quotes →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.
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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