Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing;
Only a signal shown and a distant voice in the darkness;
So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another,
Only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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Read The Theologian's Tale: Elizabeth at hwlongfellow.org

More information about this quote

Topic

Shortness of life Life and death Life Death

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source

The Theologian's Tale: Elizabeth Tales of a Wayside Inn

Medium

Poem

Statement Type

Metaphor, analogy and simile

Language

English

Time

1873 1870s 19th century

Occupation

Poet Writer

From

United States

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Theologian's Tale: Elizabeth." Tales of a Wayside Inn. Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1873, sect. 4.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Theologian's Tale: Elizabeth." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Favorite Poems. Dover Publications, 1992, sect. 4.

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A quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow about shortness of life: “Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in…”
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A quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow about shortness of life: “Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in…”
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A quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow about shortness of life: “Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in…”
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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote about Death

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas

More information about this quote
Topic
Old age Death

Author

Dylan Thomas
Source
Do Not Go Gentle Into that Good Night
Medium
Poem
Language
English
Time
1951 1950s 20th century
Authentication Score 0
Citation

Thomas, Dylan. "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night." Botteghe Oscure, 1951.

Another quote of the following type Metaphor, analogy and simile

Little strokes fell great Oaks.

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

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Read this proverb at the National Archives website
More information about this quote
Topic
Butterfly effect Incremental progress Diligence Persistence

Author

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)
Source
Poor Richard's Almanack
Medium
Almanac
Statement Type
Proverbs, aphorisms and adages Metaphor, analogy and simile
Language
English
Time
1750 1750s 18th century
Era
Colonial America
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin [published as Richard Saunders]. Poor Richard Improved. Philadelphia, 1750.

Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "Poor Richard Improved." Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.