Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (British Poet)

Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson (1809–92) was Victorian England’s favorite poet. He drew from traditional myth and Celtic legend to compose allegorical narratives about the ideals and failings of his society.

Born in Lincoln in England’s East Midlands, Tennyson studied at Cambridge and published Poems, Chiefly Lyrical (1830,) his first solo anthology at 21. His second collection was met with such condemnation that he did not publish for ten years. However, his third collection of poems was successful and included his famous poem “Ulysses.”

In 1850, Tennyson published his most significant literary work, In Memoriam, a long poem about immortality, change, and evolution. Dedicated to his late friend, the poet Arthur Henry Hallam, it was Queen Victoria’s favorite—she said the book helped to comfort after Albert’s death.

With Victoria’s patronage, Tennyson came to be celebrated as the most important literary voice of his age and was selected Poet Laureate in 1850, succeeding William Wordsworth. Tennyson relocated to the Isle of Wight in 1853, where he wrote Maud, and Other Poems (1855,) “The Charge of the Light Brigade” (1854,) and Idylls of the King (1859.) He is buried in Westminster Abbey.

More: Wikipedia READ: Works by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

It seems to me it is only noble to be good.—Kind hearts are more than coronets.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Goodness

That man’s the true Conservative who lops the moldered branch away.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Conservatives

So many worlds, so much to do,
So little done, such things to be.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Possibilities, Ambition

I myself must mix with action lest I wither by despair.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Inaction, Procrastination, Getting Going

Because right is right, to follow right were wisdom, in the scorn of consequence.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Consequences

I must lose myself in action, lest I wither in despair.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Action

Better not be at all than not be noble.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Honor

My strength is as the strength of ten, because my heart is pure.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Truth, Integrity, Strength, Heart, Character

A louse in the locks of literature.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Criticism, Critics

Trust me not at all, or all in all.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Trust

Sleep sweetly, tender heart, in peace;
Sleep, holy spirit, blessed soul,
While the stars burn, the moons increase,
And the great ages onward roll.
Sleep till the end, true soul and sweet.
Nothing comes to thee new or strange.
Sleep full of rest from head to feet;
Lie still, dry dust, secure of change.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Commitment, Dedication, Success

No rock so hard but that a little wave may beat admission in a thousand years.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Perseverance, Persistence

After-dinner talk Across the walnuts and the wine.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Wine, One liners

The jingling of the guinea helps the hurt that Honor feels.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Corruption

A sorrow’s crown of sorrow is remembering happier times.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Sadness, Sorrow, Grief, Misfortune

Ours not to reason why
Ours but to do and die.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Duty

One still strong man in a blatant land,
whatever they call him, what care I,
Aristocrat, democrat, autocrat – one
Who can rule and dare not lie.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Honesty, Government

The mighty hopes that make us men.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Hope

Death is the end of life; ah why
Should life all labour be?… .
All things have rest, and ripen toward the grave
In silence – ripen, fall, and cease;
Give us long rest or death, dark death, or dreamful ease.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Death

What rights are those that dare not resist for them?
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Conflict

Till last by Philip’s farm I flow
To join the brimming river,
For men may come and men may go,
But I go on forever.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Jewels five words long, that on the stretched forefinger of all time sparkle forever.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Proverbs

In time there is no present, In eternity no future, In eternity no past.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Eternity

Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson

There’s no glory like those who save their country.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Glory

A truth looks freshest in the fashions of the day.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Truth

He will hold thee, when his passion shall have spent its novel force, something better than his dog, a little dearer than his horse.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Wives, Marriage

Nor is it wiser to weep a true occasion lost, but trim our sails, and let old bygones be.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Shape your heart to front the hour, but dream not that the hours will last.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Topics: Planning, Preparation

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