Quotes by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

If Spring came but once in a century, instead of once a year, or burst forth with the sound of an earthquake, and not in silence, what wonder and expectation there would be in all hearts to behold the miraculous change! But now the silent succession suggests nothing but necessity. To most men only the cessation of the miracle would be miraculous and the perpetual exercise of God’s power seems less wonderful than its withdrawal would be.

I heard the bells on Christmas DayTheir old, familiar carols play,And wild and sweetThe words repeatOf peace on earth, good-will to men!

These are the woes of Slaves;They glare from the abyss;They cry, from unknown graves,We are the Witnesses!

And oft the blessed time foretellsWhen all men shall be free;And musical, as silver bells,Their falling chains shall be.

My soul is full of longingfor the secret of the sea,and the heart of the great oceansends a thrilling pulse through me.

The student has his Rome, his whole glowing Italy, within the four walls of his library. He has in his books the ruins of an antique world and the glories of a modern one.

I have you fast in my fortress,And will not let you depart,But put you down into the dungeonIn the round-tower of my heart.And there will I keep you forever,Yes, forever and a day,Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,And moulder in dust away.

I have an affection for a great city. I feel safe in the neighborhood of man, and enjoy the sweet security of the streets.

He spake well who said that graves are the footprints of angels.

We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing while others judge us by what we have already done.

Each morning sees some task begun Each evening sees it close. Something attempted something done Has earned a nights repose.

Into each life some rain must fall some days must be dark and dreary.

Trust no future howeer pleasant! Let the dead past bury its dead! Act - act in the living Present! Heart within and God oerhead.

Let us then be up and doing With a heart for any fate Still achieving still pursuing Learn to labor and to wait.

How sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong.

Be still sad heart and cease repining Behind the clouds the sun is shining Thy fate is the common fate of all Into each life some rain must fall - Some days must be dark and dreary.

Most people would succeed in small things if they were not troubled with great ambitions.

Thou too sail on O Shipof State! Sail on O Union strong and great! Humanity with all its fears With all the hopes of future years Is hanging breathless on thy fate!

Go forth to meet the shadowy Future without fear and with a manly heart.

Ah to build to build! That is the noblest of all the arts.