--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is true the Shining Isle is smoke and…" description: "\"“It is true the Shining Isle is smoke and ashes and that darkness is wide over the land. But your long memories have failed you. Of all creatures, you ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/andrew-peterson-12746_darkness_it-is-true-the-shining-isle-is-smoke-and_256640.png" --- # It is true the Shining Isle is smoke and ashes and that… ![“It is true the Shining Isle is smoke and ashes and that darkness is wide over the land. But your long memories have failed you. Of all creatures, you should know that the darkness is seldom complete, and even when it is, the pinprick of light is not long in coming -- and finer for the great shroud…” quote by Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/andrew-peterson-12746_darkness_it-is-true-the-shining-isle-is-smoke-and_256640.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/andrew-peterson-12746_darkness_it-is-true-the-shining-isle-is-smoke-and_256640.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/andrew-peterson-12746_darkness_it-is-true-the-shining-isle-is-smoke-and_256640.png) > ““It is true the Shining Isle is smoke and ashes and that darkness is wide over the land. But your long memories have failed you. Of all creatures, you should know that the darkness is seldom complete, and even when it is, the pinprick of light is not long in coming -- and finer for the great shroud that surrounds it.”” [Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even in deep darkness, small lights appear, offering hope and guidance. **In simple terms:** Darkness is never total; light eventually emerges. Key Takeaway Look for small signs of hope. Themes hope darkness light resilience Mood reflective uplifting Type poetic inspirational When to use this quote - personal crisis - mental health struggles - grieving process Key Concepts spiritual journey overcoming adversity Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay aware of tiny lights? - What practices nurture hope? A Different Perspective Light may be fleeting and hard to notice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) ## Related quotes > [A shining isle in a stormy sea, We seek it ever with smiles and sighs; To-day is sad. In the bland To-be, Serene and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-c-ames/a-shining-isle-in-a-stormy-sea-we-seek-it-ever-with-smiles-and-sighs/) [Mary C. Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-c-ames/) > [“What was she left with but ashes and darkness once the light of the flame went out? The smell of smoke lingered like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-overby/what-was-she-left-with-but-ashes-and-darkness-once-the-light-of-the/) [Eric Overby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-overby/) > [We that change, hate change. And we that pass, love what abides. Ashes, darkness, dust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reginald-horace-blyth/we-that-change-hate-change-and-we-that-pass-love-what-abides-ashes/) [Reginald Horace Blyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reginald-horace-blyth/) > [“I see the sun, high overhead, and then I know. This darkness doesn’t belong to the night. It belongs to me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-ryan-hyde/i-see-the-sun-high-overhead-and-then-i-know-this-darkness-doesn-t/) [Catherine Ryan Hyde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-ryan-hyde/) > [“That's the key, isn't it? To know the darkness will always remain, but how you choose to face it, handle it...that's the important part.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/that-s-the-key-isn-t-it-to-know-the-darkness-will-always-remain-but/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“When in spotlight, you get attention of even those you don't know; When you are in darkness, you lose your own shadow too”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zain-baloch/when-in-spotlight-you-get-attention-of-even-those-you-don-t-know-when/) Zain Baloch > [“Did you know that darkness has a taste, Grandma?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-nesb/did-you-know-that-darkness-has-a-taste-grandma/) [Jo Nesbø](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-nesb/) > [Our self-identification changes with our environment, but sometimes those dark thoughts permeate within us and there are those who are able to fight off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-carter/our-self-identification-changes-with-our-environment-but-sometimes/) [Matthew Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-carter/) > [If you know the North, you know where the South is; if you know the darkness, you know where the light is! Evil is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/if-you-know-the-north-you-know-where-the-south-is-if-you-know-the-2/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Hug your children...Kiss your mothers and fathers, your brothers and sisters. Tell them how much you love them, every day. Because every day is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-grahame-smith/hug-your-children-kiss-your-mothers-and-fathers-your-brothers-and/) [Seth Grahame-Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-grahame-smith/) > [“If you know the North, you know where the South is; if you know the darkness, you know where the light is! Evil is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/if-you-know-the-north-you-know-where-the-south-is-if-you-know-the/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“You know,” my aunt says, “I once had a terribly difficult period that lasted twenty-four years.” Wait. Twenty-four years? “And it was so important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dani-shapiro/you-know-my-aunt-says-i-once-had-a-terribly-difficult-period-that/) [Dani Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dani-shapiro/) > [“Yes, the empire is sick, and, what is worse, it is trying to become accustomed to its sores. This is the aim of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italo-calvino/yes-the-empire-is-sick-and-what-is-worse-it-is-trying-to-become/) [Italo Calvino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italo-calvino/) > [“When in spotlight, you get attention of even those you don't know; When in darkness, you lose your own shadow too”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zain-baloch/when-in-spotlight-you-get-attention-of-even-those-you-don-t-know-when-2/) Zain Baloch > [“Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/only-when-we-know-our-own-darkness-well-can-we-be-present-with-the/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## More by Andrew Peterson > [“Neither of them spoke while they walked. Life was so amazing and rich, and yet so equally full of disappointment and heartache. Such was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/neither-of-them-spoke-while-they-walked-life-was-so-amazing-and-rich/) [Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) > [Hey, angel, your horns are sticking up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/hey-angel-your-horns-are-sticking-up/) [Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) > [“Don't just follow your heart. Your heart will betray you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/don-t-just-follow-your-heart-your-heart-will-betray-you/) [Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) > [“We're in the Maker's keeping. Even if we die trying, death is just another way out. But you? You'll just turn to dust.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/we-re-in-the-maker-s-keeping-even-if-we-die-trying-death-is-just/) [Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) > [“when you forgive someone, it doesn’t diminish or erase what was done to you. You don’t have to understand why they did it, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/when-you-forgive-someone-it-doesn-t-diminish-or-erase-what-was-done/) [Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) > [“I am convinced that poets are toddlers in a cathedral, slobbering on wooden blocks and piling them up in the light of the stained…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/i-am-convinced-that-poets-are-toddlers-in-a-cathedral-slobbering-on/) [Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) > [“There's just something about the way he sings. It makes me think of when it snows outside, and the fire is warm, and Podo…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/there-s-just-something-about-the-way-he-sings-it-makes-me-think-of/) [Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) > [“There’s no correlation between wealth and happiness. Absolutely none. It’s one of society’s biggest lies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/there-s-no-correlation-between-wealth-and-happiness-absolutely-none/) [Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) > [“Here I sit in the presence of queens and heroes and magic. Yes, magic. It is only when we have grown too old that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/here-i-sit-in-the-presence-of-queens-and-heroes-and-magic-yes-magic/) [Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) > [“Nathan nodded. “And he nearly succeeded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/nathan-nodded-and-he-nearly-succeeded/) [Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) > [“The Wounded Warriors ball cap he wore helped mitigate the grooves on his face. He didn’t think of himself as a wounded warrior per…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/the-wounded-warriors-ball-cap-he-wore-helped-mitigate-the-grooves-on/) [Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) > [Well "I do" are the two most famous last words. The beginning of the end. But to lose your life for another I've heard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/well-i-do-are-the-two-most-famous-last-words-the-beginning-of-the-end/) [Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) > [“If you’re looking for other authors who’ll grab your attention and keep it, I’m happy to recommend the following: Blake Crouch’s Wayward Pines Series…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/if-you-re-looking-for-other-authors-who-ll-grab-your-attention-and/) [Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) > [“All I know is that I was blind, but now I see; that though I kick and scream, love is leading me. And every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/all-i-know-is-that-i-was-blind-but-now-i-see-that-though-i-kick-and/) [Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) > [“Gnag bends things for breaking, and the Maker makes a flourish! Evil digs a pit, and the Maker makes a well! That is his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/gnag-bends-things-for-breaking-and-the-maker-makes-a-flourish-evil/) [Andrew Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) [Explore all 52 Andrew Peterson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/) ## More Darkness quotes > [“Narrative cannot sustain formlessness any more than light can sustain darkness - it is the antithesis of formlessness, and so it can never truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-krauss/narrative-cannot-sustain-formlessness-any-more-than-light-can-sustain/) [Nicole Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-krauss/) > [“Wait here, wait here!" he cried and jumped up and began to run for help toward a cluster of lights he saw in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/wait-here-wait-here-he-cried-and-jumped-up-and-began-to-run-for-help/) [Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/) > [Strange - is it not? That of the myriads who Before us passed the door of Darkness through, Not one returns to tell us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/strange-is-it-not-that-of-the-myriads-who-before-us-passed-the-door/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [Clear moments are so short. There is much more darkness. More ocean than terra firma. More shadow than form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-zagajewski/clear-moments-are-so-short-there-is-much-more-darkness-more-ocean/) [Adam Zagajewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-zagajewski/) > [I even see the cinema itself as a woman, with its alternation of light and darkness, of appearing and disappearing images](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/federico-fellini/i-even-see-the-cinema-itself-as-a-woman-with-its-alternation-of-light/) [Federico Fellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/federico-fellini/) > [I guess he'll have to figure out someday that he is supposed to have this dark side, that it is part of what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/i-guess-he-ll-have-to-figure-out-someday-that-he-is-supposed-to-have/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“I promise to respect and protect your aloneness, knowing that everything created must have its period of darkness: child and bulb, poem and personality.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/i-promise-to-respect-and-protect-your-aloneness-knowing-that/) [anne morrow lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [The beauty of darkness is how it lets you see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-rich/the-beauty-of-darkness-is-how-it-lets-you-see/) [Adrienne Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-rich/) > [“Even in darkness your lips taste of sunshine”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-lia-block/even-in-darkness-your-lips-taste-of-sunshine/) [Francesca Lia Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-lia-block/) > [“Defy me not for gleam can only shine in my existence" said Darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/defy-me-not-for-gleam-can-only-shine-in-my-existence-said-darkness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [The dream of coming back is becoming a reality. A lot of the uncertainty about the future has been cleared up. A lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tagliabue/the-dream-of-coming-back-is-becoming-a-reality-a-lot-of-the/) [Paul Tagliabue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tagliabue/) > [“Life is like coffee, the darker it gets, the more it energizes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ankita-singhal/life-is-like-coffee-the-darker-it-gets-the-more-it-energizes/) [Ankita Singhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ankita-singhal/) > [Twinking tears in a sea of black. Soft light in a world of darkness. Tiny wishes in a place of dreams. Do you see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-gentile/twinking-tears-in-a-sea-of-black-soft-light-in-a-world-of-darkness/) Nicole Gentile [Browse all 8,219 Darkness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It is true the Shining Isle is smoke and ashes and that darkness is wide over the land. But your long memories have failed you. Of all creatures, you should know that the darkness is seldom complete, and even when it is, the pinprick of light is not long in coming -- and finer for the great shroud that surrounds it.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Andrew Peterson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/it-is-true-the-shining-isle-is-smoke-and-ashes-and-that-darkness-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Darkness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/it-is-true-the-shining-isle-is-smoke-and-ashes-and-that-darkness-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/andrew-peterson-12746_darkness_it-is-true-the-shining-isle-is-smoke-and_256640.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/andrew-peterson-12746_darkness_it-is-true-the-shining-isle-is-smoke-and_256640.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ded/andrew-peterson-12746_darkness_it-is-true-the-shining-isle-is-smoke-and_256640.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is true the Shining Isle is smoke and ashes and that darkness is wide over the land. But your long…” — Andrew Peterson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Andrew Peterson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-peterson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“It is true the Shining Isle...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/it-is-true-the-shining-isle-is-smoke-and-ashes-and-that-darkness-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-peterson/it-is-true-the-shining-isle-is-smoke-and-ashes-and-that-darkness-is/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```