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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Aging brings reflection on past achievements and contemplation of future challenges.
This quote uses the metaphor of climbing the Alps to describe the experience of turning seventy years old. It suggests that reaching this age allows one to look back on life's journey, appreciating both the struggles and accomplishments that have been faced, while also pondering the unknown challenges and peaks that lie ahead. This reflection can prompt deep contemplation about life’s purpose and future endeavors.
Themes
AgeReflectionLife StagesChallengesGrowth
In practice
Example use cases
In a retirement speech, one could use this quote to reflect on a lifetime of experiences.
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
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
The love of learning, the sequestered nooks, And all the sweet serenity of books.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
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