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
Safe from temptation, safe from sin's pollution, She lives whom we call dead.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that avoiding temptation is essential for a pure and untainted life.
Longfellow's quote reflects on the idea that true purity and peace are found in a life untouched by temptation and sin. It implies that even if someone is physically absent, they can metaphorically remain 'alive' and unblemished if they have managed to evade moral corruption and the troubles of temptation.
Themes
TemptationSinPurityLifeMorality
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the importance of moral integrity, this quote can serve as a powerful reminder of the dangers of giving in to temptation.
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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