Alfred Lord Tennyson, born on August 6, 1809, in Somersby, Lincolnshire, England, was a towering figure in Victorian literature. As Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom for over four decades, he crafted enduring poems that delved into themes of love, loss, nature, and human resilience. His notable achievements include writing masterpieces like “In Memoriam A.H.H.,” which grappled with grief, and “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” a stirring tribute to bravery in the face of futility. Tennyson’s work often reflected on life’s deeper meanings, drawing from personal experiences and philosophical inquiries. The quotes here are sourced primarily from his poems and books, with some from letters and biographical accounts, focusing on themes of life, courage, and mortality. This curated list presents 15 insightful quotes that capture his wisdom on existence.
Quote List
1. “Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die.” (Poem, “The Charge of the Light Brigade”, 1854)
2. “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.” (Poem, “Ulysses”, 1842)
3. “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)
4. “Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow.” (Poem, “In Memoriam A.H.H.”, 1850)
5. “The woods decay, the woods decay and fall, The vapours weep their burthen to the ground.” (Poem, “Tithonus”, 1860)
6. “Come, my friends, ‘Tis not too late to seek a newer world.” (Poem, “Ulysses”, 1842)
7. “Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.” (Poem, “Locksley Hall”, 1842)
8. “A sorrow’s crown of sorrow is remembering happier things.” (Poem, “Locksley Hall”, 1842)
9. “Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark.” (Poem, “Crossing the Bar”, 1889)
10. “The shell must break before the bird can fly.” (Letter to a friend, n.d.)
11. “Dreams are true while they last, and do we not live in dreams?” (Poem, “The Higher Pantheism”, 1869)
12. “I am a part of all that I have met.” (Poem, “Ulysses”, 1842)
13. “Men may rise on stepping-stones of their dead selves to higher things.” (Poem, “In Memoriam A.H.H.”, 1850)
14. “The old order changeth, yielding place to new.” (Poem, “Idylls of the King”, 1859)
15. “Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred.” (Poem, “The Charge of the Light Brigade”, 1854)
Tennyson’s quotes reveal a poet deeply attuned to life’s fleeting beauty, inevitable sorrows, and calls to courage, drawing from personal loss and historical events like the Charge of the Light Brigade. They showcase his reflective nature, emphasizing resilience and the search for meaning amid change. Overall, these words highlight his timeless ability to mirror human experiences, inviting ongoing contemplation. What insights do they spark for you? Share your thoughts or favorite quote in the comments below.
