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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: February 27, 1807
Died On: March 24, 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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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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Talk not of wasted affection; affection never was wasted.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Ah, Nothing is too late, till the tired heart shall cease to palpitate.

Ah, Nothing is too late, till the tired heart shall cease to palpitate.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Ah, how good it feels! The hand of an old friend.

Ah, how good it feels! The hand of an old friend.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Sit in reverie and watch the changing color of the waves
that break upon the idle seashore of the mind.

Sit in reverie and watch the changing color of the waves that break upon the idle seashore of the mind.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time

Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Love gives itself; it is not bought.

Love gives itself; it is not bought.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
There is no grief like the grief that does not speak.

There is no grief like the grief that does not speak.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
For age is opportunity no less 
Than youth itself, though in another dress, 
And as the evening twilight fades away 
The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.

For age is opportunity no less Than youth itself, though in another dress, And as the evening twilight fades away The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Glorious indeed is the world of God around us, but more glorious the world of God within us.

Glorious indeed is the world of God around us, but more glorious the world of God within us.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Stay, stay at home, my heart and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are happiest.

Stay, stay at home, my heart and rest; Home-keeping hearts are happiest.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Resolve, and thou art free.

Resolve, and thou art free.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A noble type of good. 
Heroic womanhood.

A noble type of good. Heroic womanhood.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Let us, then be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labour and to wait.

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

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The leaves of memory seemed to make A mournful rustling in the dark

The leaves of memory seemed to make A mournful rustling in the dark

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each tomorrow
Find us farther than today.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each tomorrow Find us farther than today.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain.

The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The human voice is the organ of the soul.

The human voice is the organ of the soul.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Unasked, Unsought, Love gives itself but is not bought

Unasked, Unsought, Love gives itself but is not bought

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small; Though with patience He stands waiting, with exactness grinds He all.

Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small; Though with patience He stands waiting, with exactness grinds He all.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
It is difficult to know at what moment love begins; it is less difficult to know that it has begun

It is difficult to know at what moment love begins; it is less difficult to know that it has begun

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A boy's will is the wind's will, 
And the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts.

A boy's will is the wind's will, And the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
For his heart was in his work, and the heart giveth grace unto every art.

For his heart was in his work, and the heart giveth grace unto every art.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide.

The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
And when she was good she was very very good. But when she was bad she was horrid.

And when she was good she was very very good. But when she was bad she was horrid.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Youth comes but once in a lifetime

Youth comes but once in a lifetime

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Yes, we must ever be friends; and of all who offer you friendship let me be ever the first, the truest, the nearest and dearest!

Yes, we must ever be friends; and of all who offer you friendship let me be ever the first, the truest, the nearest and dearest!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Art is long, and Time is fleeting.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Tell me not in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Tell me not in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
We are all architects of faith, ever living in these walls of time.

We are all architects of faith, ever living in these walls of time.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou are, to dust thou returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou are, to dust thou returnest, Was not spoken of the soul.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I am weary of your quarrels,
Weary of your wars and bloodshed,
Weary of your prayers for vengeance,
Of your wranglings and dissensions

I am weary of your quarrels, Weary of your wars and bloodshed, Weary of your prayers for vengeance, Of your wranglings and dissensions

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Believe me, every man has his secret sorrows, which the world knows not; and oftimes we call a man cold when he is only sad.

Believe me, every man has his secret sorrows, which the world knows not; and oftimes we call a man cold when he is only sad.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
In the long run men hit only what they aim at.

In the long run men hit only what they aim at.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The story, from beginning to end, I found again in a heart of a friend.

The story, from beginning to end, I found again in a heart of a friend.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer.... Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Ye are better than all the ballads
That ever were sung or said;
For ye are living poems,
And all the rest are dead.

Ye are better than all the ballads That ever were sung or said; For ye are living poems, And all the rest are dead.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The nearer the dawn
the darker the night.

The nearer the dawn the darker the night.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.

The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Out of the shdows of night
The world rolls into light.

Out of the shdows of night The world rolls into light.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
In the elder days of Art,
Builders wrought with greatest care
Each minute and unseen part;
For the Gods are everywhere

In the elder days of Art, Builders wrought with greatest care Each minute and unseen part; For the Gods are everywhere

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Not in the clamor of the crowded street,
Not in the shouts and plaudits of the throng,
But in ourselves, are triumph and defeat.

Not in the clamor of the crowded street, Not in the shouts and plaudits of the throng, But in ourselves, are triumph and defeat.

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

The heights by great men reached and kept Were not attained by sudden flight, But they, while their companions slept, Were toiling upward in the night.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears, our faith triumphant o’er our fears, are all with thee – are all with thee!

Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears, our faith triumphant o’er our fears, are all with thee – are all with thee!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The morning pouring everywhere, its golden glory on the air.

The morning pouring everywhere, its golden glory on the air.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining; Behind the clouds is the sun still shining

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I hear the wind among the trees playing the celestial symphonies.

I hear the wind among the trees playing the celestial symphonies.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Great is the art of beginning.

Great is the art of beginning.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
She floats upon the river of his thoughts.

She floats upon the river of his thoughts.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
These are the woes of Slaves;
They glare from the abyss;
They cry, from unknown graves,

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

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Ah! What would the world be to us
If the children were no more?
We should dread the desert behind us
Worse than the dark before.

Ah! What would the world be to us If the children were no more? We should dread the desert behind us Worse than the dark before.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
To charm, to strengthen, and to teach: these are the three great chords of might.

To charm, to strengthen, and to teach: these are the three great chords of might.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
  And, as she looked around, she saw how Death, the consoler,   Laying his hand upon many a heart, had healed it forever.

  And, as she looked around, she saw how Death, the consoler,   Laying his hand upon many a heart, had healed it forever.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Think of your woods and orchards without birds!
Of empty nests that cling to boughs and beams
As in an idiot's brain remembered words
Hang empty 'mid the cobwebs of his dreams!

Think of your woods and orchards without birds! Of empty nests that cling to boughs and beams As in an idiot's brain remembered words Hang empty 'mid the cobwebs of his dreams!

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

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

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The life of man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams but in active charity and in willing service.

The life of man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams but in active charity and in willing service.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
One if by land, two if by sea.

One if by land, two if by sea.

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.” —

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Resolve, and thou art free. But breathe the air
Of mountains, and their unapproachable summits
Will lift thee to the level of themselves.

Resolve, and thou art free. But breathe the air Of mountains, and their unapproachable summits Will lift thee to the level of themselves.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Joy, temperance, and repose, slam the door on the doctor's nose.

Joy, temperance, and repose, slam the door on the doctor's nose.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Straight between them ran the pathway,
Never grew the grass upon it

Straight between them ran the pathway, Never grew the grass upon it

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The purpose of that apple tree is to grow a little new wood each year. That is what I plan to do.

The purpose of that apple tree is to grow a little new wood each year. That is what I plan to do.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Its reward is in the doing,
And the rapture of pursuing
Is the prize

Its reward is in the doing, And the rapture of pursuing Is the prize

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Think not, because no man sees
Such things will remain unseen

Think not, because no man sees Such things will remain unseen

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting, And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The rays of happiness, like those of light, are colorless when unbroken.

The rays of happiness, like those of light, are colorless when unbroken.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
You judge yourself by what your capable of doing, while others judge you by what you have already done

You judge yourself by what your capable of doing, while others judge you by what you have already done

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Each morning sees some task begun, each evening sees it close; Something attempted, something done, has earned a night's repose.

Each morning sees some task begun, each evening sees it close; Something attempted, something done, has earned a night's repose.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Art is the child of Nature.

Art is the child of Nature.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Were half the power that fills the world with terror, Were half the wealth bestowed on camps and courts Given to redeem the human mind from error, There were no need of arsenals or forts.

Were half the power that fills the world with terror, Were half the wealth bestowed on camps and courts Given to redeem the human mind from error, There were no need of arsenals or forts.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
  Fair was she and young, when in hope began the long journey;   Faded was she and old, when in disappointment it ended.

  Fair was she and young, when in hope began the long journey;   Faded was she and old, when in disappointment it ended.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Every arrow that flies feels the pull of the earth.

Every arrow that flies feels the pull of the earth.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
And oft the blessed time foretells
When all men shall be free;
And musical, as silver bells,
Their falling chains shall be.

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

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend,
For the lesson thou hast taught!
Thus at the flaming forge of life
Our fortunes must be wrought

Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend, For the lesson thou hast taught! Thus at the flaming forge of life Our fortunes must be wrought

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow