Alfred Lord Tennyson, born Alfred Tennyson on August 6, 1809, in Somersby, Lincolnshire, England, was a celebrated British poet and the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom for over four decades. His career highlights include penning iconic works like “In Memoriam A.H.H.,” which explores grief and faith, and “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” a powerful ode to courage during the Crimean War. Tennyson’s poetry often delves into themes of time, change, and human resilience, earning him widespread acclaim in the Victorian era. The quotes here are sourced exclusively from his published poems, as he lived from 1809 to 1892 and did not engage in modern media like interviews or social platforms. This list presents 15 insightful quotes by Tennyson that touch on life, renewal, and new beginnings, making them apt for New Year reflections.
15 Alfred Lord Tennyson Quotes for New Year and Life
1. “Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow.” (Poem, “Ring Out, Wild Bells”, 1850)
2. “Ring out the false, ring in the true.” (Poem, “Ring Out, Wild Bells”, 1850)
3. “The year is going, let him go.” (Poem, “The Death of the Old Year”, 1830)
4. “I hold it true, whate’er befall; I feel it, when I sorrow most; ‘Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all.” (Poem, “In Memoriam A.H.H.”, 1850)
5. “Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.” (Poem, “Locksley Hall”, 1842)
6. “The shell must break before the bird can fly.” (Poem, “The Two Voices”, 1842)
7. “Come, my friends, ‘Tis not too late to seek a newer world.” (Poem, “Ulysses”, 1842)
8. “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.” (Poem, “Ulysses”, 1842)
9. “Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me!” (Poem, “Crossing the Bar”, 1889)
10. “The woods decay, the woods decay and fall.” (Poem, “Tithonus”, 1860)
11. “I am become a name.” (Poem, “The Princess”, 1847)
12. “Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die.” (Poem, “The Charge of the Light Brigade”, 1854)
13. “In the spring a livelier iris changes on the burnish’d dove.” (Poem, “Locksley Hall”, 1842)
14. “Flower in the crannied wall, I pluck you out of the crannies.” (Poem, “Flower in the Crannied Wall”, 1869)
15. “Yet all experience is an arch wherethrough Gleams that untravell’d world.” (Poem, “Ulysses”, 1842)
These quotes from Alfred Lord Tennyson illuminate his deep understanding of life’s transitions, the inevitability of change, and the hope found in new beginnings. They showcase his ability to capture the human spirit’s resilience, offering timeless wisdom that encourages reflection and growth, especially at the start of a new year. Tennyson’s words remain a source of comfort and inspiration. What insights do these quotes spark for you? Share your thoughts and favorite lines in the comments below.
