Home»
Alfred The Great Quotes

21 Thought-Provoking Quotes By Alfred The Great

Famous As: King of the West Saxons

Born On: 849 AD

Died On: October 26, 899

Born In: Wantage, England

Founder / Co Founder: Royal Navy

Died At Age: 50

Alfred the Great was an illustrious King of the Anglo-Saxons from 886 to 899 and the ‘King of Wessex’ from 871 to c 886. He had spent many years fighting the ‘Viking invasions,’ after ascending the throne. He is known as a merciful and learned man who laid emphasis on education. He became the dominant ruler in England by defending his kingdom against the Viking attempt at conquest. Go through the famous sayings by Alfred the Great which have been excerpted from his works and life.

Listed In:

Historical Personalities

The saddest thing about any man is that he be ignorant, and the most exciting thing is that he knows.

The saddest thing about any man is that he be ignorant, and the most exciting thing is that he knows.
Alfred the Great

For in prosperity a man is often puffed up with pride, whereas tribulations chasten and humble him through suffering and sorrow. In the midst of prosperity the mind is elated, and in prosperity a man forgets himself; in hardship he is forced to reflect on himself, even though he be unwilling. In prosperity a man often destroys the good he has done; amidst difficulties he often repairs what he long since did in the way of wickedness.
Alfred the Great

The greater the man the greater the courtesy.

The greater the man the greater the courtesy.
Alfred the Great

Food over flame burns, food over heat cooks

Food over flame burns, food over heat cooks
Alfred the Great

O hard, when love and duty clash!
Alfred the Great

Ah, why should life all labor be?
Alfred the Great

All things have rest: why should we toil alone, We only toil, who are the first of things.

All things have rest: why should we toil alone, We only toil, who are the first of things.
Alfred the Great

I desire to leave to the men that come after me a remembrance of me in good works.

I desire to leave to the men that come after me a remembrance of me in good works.
Alfred the Great

The Christmas bells from hill to hill Answer each other in the mist.

The Christmas bells from hill to hill Answer each other in the mist.
Alfred the Great

Science moves, but slowly, slowly, creeping on from point to point.

Science moves, but slowly, slowly, creeping on from point to point.
Alfred the Great

I embrace the purpose of God and the doom assigned.

I embrace the purpose of God and the doom assigned.
Alfred the Great

Time [is] flowing in the middle of the night.

Time [is] flowing in the middle of the night.
Alfred the Great

The vow that binds too quickly snaps itself.

The vow that binds too quickly snaps itself.
Alfred the Great

For man is man and master of his fate.
Alfred the Great

I am a part of all whom I have met.
Alfred the Great

He promoted the education of the parish clergy and wrote: He seems to me a very foolish man, and very wretched, who will not increase his understanding while he is in the world, and ever wish and long to reach that endless life where all shall be made clear.
Life
Alfred the Great

Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good. Ring out old shapes of foul disease; Ring out the narrowing lust of gold; Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace.
War
Alfred the Great

All the youth now in England of free men, who are rich enough to be able to devote themselves to it, be set to learn as long as they are not fit for any other occupation, until they are able to read English writing well.

All the youth now in England of free men, who are rich enough to be able to devote themselves to it, be set to learn as long as they are not fit for any other occupation, until they are able to read English writing well.
Alfred the Great