Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, born on February 27, 1807, in Portland, Maine, was a celebrated American poet and educator. He taught modern languages at Harvard University and became one of the most popular writers of his time, with iconic works like “Evangeline,” “The Song of Hiawatha,” and “Paul Revere’s Ride.” Longfellow’s poetry often delved into themes of human experience, nature, and morality, earning him widespread acclaim and influence. The quotes here are sourced from his published poems and books, offering timeless reflections on life. This list presents 15 of his insightful quotes about life, drawn from his literary legacy.
Quote List: 15 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Quotes
1. “Tell me not in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream!” (Poem, “A Psalm of Life,” 1839)
2. “Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal.” (Poem, “A Psalm of Life,” 1839)
3. “Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way.” (Poem, “A Psalm of Life,” 1839)
4. “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.” (Poem, “A Psalm of Life,” 1839)
5. “Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time.” (Poem, “A Psalm of Life,” 1839)
6. “Into each life some rain must fall, Some days must be dark and dreary.” (Poem, “The Rainy Day,” 1841)
7. “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.” (Poem, “The Ladder of St. Augustine,” 1850)
8. “Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead! Act,— act in the living Present!” (Poem, “A Psalm of Life,” 1839)
9. “A boy’s will is the wind’s will, And the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts.” (Poem, “My Lost Youth,” 1855)
10. “For age is opportunity no less Than youth itself, though in another dress.” (Poem, “Morituri Salutamus,” 1875)
11. “The love of learning, the sequestered nooks, And all the sweet serenity of books.” (Poem, “The Seaside and the Fireside,” 1850)
12. “I remember the gleams and glooms that dart across the school-boy’s brain.” (Poem, “My Lost Youth,” 1855)
13. “The day is done, and the darkness Falls from the wings of Night.” (Poem, “The Day is Done,” 1845)
14. “There is no death! What seems so is transition; This life of mortal breath Is but a suburb of the life elysian, Whose portal we call Death.” (Poem, “Resignation,” 1849)
15. “In the world’s broad field of battle, In the bivouac of life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife!” (Poem, “A Psalm of Life,” 1839)
These quotes reveal Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s deep wisdom on life’s challenges, opportunities, and enduring spirit, emphasizing themes of perseverance, growth, and purpose. His words, rooted in 19th-century insight, still resonate today, encouraging us to live meaningfully. What do these quotes mean to you, or which one inspires you most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.