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Time has a doomsday book, upon whose pages he is…

“Time has a doomsday book, upon whose pages he is continually recording illustrious names. But as often as a new name is written there, an old one disappears. Only a few stand in illuminated characters never to be effaced.” quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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“Time has a doomsday book, upon whose pages he is continually recording illustrious names. But as often as a new name is written there, an old one disappears. Only a few stand in illuminated characters never to be effaced.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

About This Quote

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

Fame is fleeting; only a few names endure unchanged over time.

In simple terms: Only a few names last forever.

Key Takeaway

Focus on lasting impact.

Themes

mortality legacy impermanence

Mood

reflective melancholic

Type

philosophical poetic

When to use this quote

  • historical fame
  • personal reputation
  • cultural memory

Key Concepts

ephemerality renown memory

Questions to Reflect On

  • What actions will you take to create a lasting legacy?
  • How do you define enduring significance?
A Different Perspective

Not all achievements are recorded; many are forgotten.

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