Abyss Quote by Edward Everett
“Does it seem all but incredible to you that intelligence should travel for two thousand miles, along those slender copper lines, far down in the all but fathomless Atlantic; never before penetrated … save when some foundering vessel has plunged with her hapless company to the eternal silence and darkness of the abyss? Does it seem … but a miracle … that the thoughts of living men … should burn over the cold, green bones of men and women, whose hearts, once as warm as ours, burst as the eternal gulfs closed and roared over them centuries ago?”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address at the International Electrical Exhibition, 1881
The marvel of transmitting intelligence across vast distances via copper cables, highlighting humanity’s awe at technological breakthroughs and the fragility of life.
In simple terms: Technology lets thoughts travel far, yet life remains fragile.
Key Takeaway
Embrace innovation while remembering human limits.
Themes
technology
humanity
innovation
mortality
Mood
awe
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- undersea cable projects
- global communication
- scientific conferences
- education on tech history
Key Concepts
electrical engineering
communication
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does long‑distance communication change our perception of distance?
- What responsibilities accompany such power?
A Different Perspective
The quote romanticizes progress without addressing ethical or environmental impacts.
