Face to face Quote by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
““When our two souls stand up erect and strong, Face to face, silent, drawing nigh and nigher, Until the lengthening wings break into fire At either curvèd point,---what bitter wrong Can the earth do to us, that we should not long Be here contented? Think! In mounting higher, The angels would press on us and aspire To drop some golden orb of perfect song Into our deep, dear silence. Let us stay Rather on earth, Belovèd,---where the unfit Contrarious moods of men recoil away And isolate pure spirits, and permit A place to stand and love in for a day, With darkness and the death-hour rounding it.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Soul’s Ascent” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1850
The poem reflects on the yearning for transcendence beyond earthly suffering, seeking pure connection and spiritual elevation despite worldly turmoil.
In simple terms: Seek higher spiritual connection beyond earthly pain.
Key Takeaway
Pursue inner peace and higher purpose.
Themes
spirituality
transcendence
love
loneliness
purpose
Mood
contemplative
hopeful
melancholic
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- meditation
- creative writing
- personal crisis
- grieving
- seeking meaning
Key Concepts
metaphysics
existential longing
inner peace
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “higher” mean to you?
- How can you find peace amid chaos?
A Different Perspective
Human frailty and societal conflict may hinder pure spiritual communion.
![“Gerber, who studied seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Ottoman court decisions, points to examples of Ottoman muftis (official jurists) who, despite being paid by the government, “did not hesitate to speak out against the government when [they] came face to face with an injustice.” quote by Mustafa Akyol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/790/mustafa-akyol-15064_face-to-face_gerber-who-studied-seventeenth-and-eight_22267.jpg)
