Far distance Quote by Adelaide Anne Procter
““Have we not all, amid life's petty strife, Some pure ideal of a noble life That once seemed possible? Did we not hear The flutter of its wings, and feel it near, And just within our reach? It was. And yet We lost it in this daily jar and fret, And now live idle in a vague regret. But still our place is kept, and it will wait, Ready for us to fill it, soon or late: No star is ever lost we once have seen, We always may be what we might have been. Since Good, though only thought, has life and breath, God's life--can always be redeemed from death; And evil, in its nature, is decay, And any hour can blot it all away; The hopes that lost in some far distance seem, May be the truer life, and this the dream.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Ideal Life”, 1865
The poem reflects on lost noble aspirations and the hope that they remain attainable despite daily distractions.
In simple terms: We lose sight of noble goals but they can be reclaimed.
Key Takeaway
Seek and nurture your higher purpose.
Themes
hope
spirituality
regret
redemption
Mood
melancholic
hopeful
reflective
Type
poetic
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career choices
- personal growth
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
Existential longing
faith
human potential
Questions to Reflect On
- What noble ideal have you set aside?
- How can you revive it in daily life?
A Different Perspective
Idealism may clash with practical realities and complacency.
