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Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Quotes

100 Memorable Quotes By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Author Of Paul Revere's Ride

Famous As: First American poet to translate Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy

Born On: 1807

Died On: 1882

Born In: Portland, Maine, United States

Died At Age: 75

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was a 19th century educationist and poet from America, who penned some of the most memorable poems in the history of American literature. Other than being a poet of great repute; Longfellow was also an educationist, who was a professor at his alma mater Bowdoin College and latter at the Harvard College. Prior to taking up his position as a professor at Bowdoin College; he had also spent a considerable amount of time in Europe; which helped to shape his worldview. Some of his most famous works include ‘The Song of Haiwatha’, ‘Paul Revere’s Ride’ and ‘Evangaline’. On the other hand, he had also translated Dante’s seminal work ‘Divine Comedy’ to English. In addition to that, he also produced collections of poetry and the most well-known among them were ‘Ballads and Other Poems’ and ‘Voices of the Night’. Longfellow eventually decided to devote his entire time to literary pursuits in 1854 and gave up his position as professor. Most of his poems drew heavily from mythology and popular legends and he eventually became the most famous poet in the world at the time. Here are some of the quotes by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow .

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Poets

Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.

Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not; and often times we call a man cold when he is only sad.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The love of learning, the sequestered nooks,
And all the sweet serenity of books

The love of learning, the sequestered nooks, And all the sweet serenity of books
Love Learning Books
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining is let it rain.

For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining is let it rain.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Music is the universal language of mankind.

Music is the universal language of mankind.
Music
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven,
Blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels.

Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven, Blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.

If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.
Life History
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Every heart has its secret sorrows which the world knows not, and oftentimes we call a man cold, when he is only sad.

Every heart has its secret sorrows which the world knows not, and oftentimes we call a man cold, when he is only sad.
Heart
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining; Behind the clouds is the sun still shining; Thy fate is the common fate of all, Into each life some rain must fall
Life
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I do not believe anyone can be perfectly well, who has a brain and a heart

I do not believe anyone can be perfectly well, who has a brain and a heart
Heart Believe I
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

My soul is full of longing
for the secret of the sea,
and the heart of the great ocean
sends a thrilling pulse through me.

My soul is full of longing for the secret of the sea, and the heart of the great ocean sends a thrilling pulse through me.
Me Heart Soul
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

A torn jacket is soon mended, but hard words bruise the heart of a child.

A torn jacket is soon mended, but hard words bruise the heart of a child.
Heart
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Peace I
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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

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

The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained in sudden flight but, they while their companions slept, they were toiling upwards in the night.

The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained in sudden flight but, they while their companions slept, they were toiling upwards in the night.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.

Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.
You Think
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Art is the child of nature in whom we trace the features of the mothers face.

Art is the child of nature in whom we trace the features of the mothers face.
Nature Art
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Look not mournfully into the past, it comes not back again. Wisely improve the present, it is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future without fear and with a manly heart.

Look not mournfully into the past, it comes not back again. Wisely improve the present, it is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future without fear and with a manly heart.
Future Past Heart Fear
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The heart, like the mind, has a memory.
And in it are kept the most precious keepsakes.

The heart, like the mind, has a memory. And in it are kept the most precious keepsakes.
Like Heart
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

In character, in manner, in style, in all the things, the supreme excellence is simplicity

In character, in manner, in style, in all the things, the supreme excellence is simplicity
Character
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

And the night shall be filled with music,
And the cares, that infest the day,
Shall fold their tents like the Arabs,
and silently steal away.

And the night shall be filled with music, And the cares, that infest the day, Shall fold their tents like the Arabs, and silently steal away.
Like Music
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

It takes less time to do a thing right than to explain why you did it wrong.

It takes less time to do a thing right than to explain why you did it wrong.
You Time
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Talk not of wasted affection; affection never was wasted.

Talk not of wasted affection; affection never was wasted.
Never
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it;
Every arrow that flies feels the attraction of earth.

If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it; Every arrow that flies feels the attraction of earth.
You
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

There are things of which I may not speak;
There are dreams that cannot die;
There are thoughts that make the strong heart weak,
And bring a pallor into the cheek,
And a mist before the eye.

There are things of which I may not speak; There are dreams that cannot die; There are thoughts that make the strong heart weak, And bring a pallor into the cheek, And a mist before the eye.
Heart Dreams I
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week.

Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week.
Together
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Perserverence 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.

Perserverence 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.
You
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

As Unto the bow the the cord is ,
So unto the man is woman;
Though she bends him, she obeys him,
Though she draws him , yet she follows:
Useless each without the other.

As Unto the bow the the cord is , So unto the man is woman; Though she bends him, she obeys him, Though she draws him , yet she follows: Useless each without the other.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow