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I stood on a tower in the wet, And New Year and Old Year…

“I stood on a tower in the wet, And New Year and Old Year met, And winds were roaring and blowing: And I said, "O years, that meet in tears, Have ye aught that is worth the knowing? Science enough and exploring, Wanderers coming and going, Matter enough for deploring, But aught that is worth the…” quote by Alfred Lord Tennyson
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“I stood on a tower in the wet, And New Year and Old Year met, And winds were roaring and blowing: And I said, "O years, that meet in tears, Have ye aught that is worth the knowing? Science enough and exploring, Wanderers coming and going, Matter enough for deploring, But aught that is worth the knowing?”

Alfred Lord Tennyson

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker reflects on the passage of time, questioning what knowledge truly matters amid the relentless flow of years and human curiosity.

In simple terms: Questioning what truly matters in life.

Key Takeaway

Seek deeper purpose beyond fleeting knowledge.

Themes

time existence knowledge reflection

Mood

melancholic contemplative

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal introspection
  • historical analysis
  • creative writing

Key Concepts

mortality human curiosity philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What knowledge do you value most?
  • How do you confront the endless passage of time?
A Different Perspective

The poem’s lyrical style may obscure practical application.

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