--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: in this short life that only lasts ah…" description: "\"in this short life that only lasts ah hour how much-how little-is within our power.\" — Emily Dickinson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/emily-dickinson-310_hour_in-this-short-life-that-only-lasts-ah-ho_2974677.jpg" --- # in this short life that only lasts ah hour how much-how… ![“in this short life that only lasts ah hour how much-how little-is within our power.” quote by Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/emily-dickinson-310_hour_in-this-short-life-that-only-lasts-ah-ho_2974677.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/emily-dickinson-310_hour_in-this-short-life-that-only-lasts-ah-ho_2974677.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/emily-dickinson-310_hour_in-this-short-life-that-only-lasts-ah-ho_2974677.jpg) > “in this short life that only lasts ah hour how much-how little-is within our power.” [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life is fleeting, so we must recognize the limited control we have over time and actions. **In simple terms:** Life is short, power is limited. Key Takeaway Focus on what truly matters. Themes mortality control mindfulness Mood reflective serene Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily decisions - long‑term planning - relationships - health habits Key Concepts existentialism agency Questions to Reflect On - How do you prioritize in a short life? - What can you let go of? A Different Perspective Even small choices can have outsized impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Short life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-life/) ## Related quotes > [“In this short Life that only lasts an hour How much - how little - is within our power”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/in-this-short-life-that-only-lasts-an-hour-how-much-how-little-is/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [Don't you just love those long rainy afternoons in New Orleans when an hour isn't just an hour - but a little piece of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/don-t-you-just-love-those-long-rainy-afternoons-in-new-orleans-when/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [“A few of us had the curse of truthfulness, which gave us little power.   N”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarashea-nesbit/a-few-of-us-had-the-curse-of-truthfulness-which-gave-us-little-power-n/) [TaraShea Nesbit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarashea-nesbit/) > [“The problem is not that we have so little power. The problem is that we don't use the power that we have.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danusha-v-goska/the-problem-is-not-that-we-have-so-little-power-the-problem-is-that/) Danusha V. Goska > [Ambition has but one reward for all: A little power, a little transient fame; A grave to rest in, and a fading name!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-savage-landor/ambition-has-but-one-reward-for-all-a-little-power-a-little-transient/) [Walter Savage Landor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-savage-landor/) > [There's nothing like suffering to remind us how not in control we actually are, how little power we ultimately have, and how much we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tullian-tchividjian/there-s-nothing-like-suffering-to-remind-us-how-not-in-control-we/) [Tullian Tchividjian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tullian-tchividjian/) > [The worst kind of job to have is a job with lots of responsibility and very little power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-j-dionne/the-worst-kind-of-job-to-have-is-a-job-with-lots-of-responsibility/) [E. J. Dionne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-j-dionne/) > [How could it be little me had the power to be The best 'B' in the league yeah inevitably](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/how-could-it-be-little-me-had-the-power-to-be-the-best-b-in-the/) [Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/) > [“Give little people a little power, and it goes straight to their ugly, little heads. -Foot talks about authority”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-palla/give-little-people-a-little-power-and-it-goes-straight-to-their-ugly/) [Ray Palla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-palla/) > [There is no alienation that a little power will not cure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/there-is-no-alienation-that-a-little-power-will-not-cure/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Do not give little man big power and do not give big man little power!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/do-not-give-little-man-big-power-and-do-not-give-big-man-little-power/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [The women of Gilead have so little power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-brewer/the-women-of-gilead-have-so-little-power/) [Madeline Brewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-brewer/) > [“In fact, rather than being "more" than the others, the ANP is generally one that is very limited, with little power in the system,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-miller/in-fact-rather-than-being-more-than-the-others-the-anp-is-generally/) [Alison Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-miller/) > [...but there are some situations of the human mind in which good sense has very little power...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/but-there-are-some-situations-of-the-human-mind-in-which-good-sense/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [Lord, help me to do great things as though they were little, since I do them with your power; And little things as though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/lord-help-me-to-do-great-things-as-though-they-were-little-since-i-do/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) ## More by Emily Dickinson > [A Light exists in Spring Not present on the Year At any other period - When March is scarcely here A Color stands abroad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/a-light-exists-in-spring-not-present-on-the-year-at-any-other-period/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [I could not prove the Years had feet-/Yet confident they run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/i-could-not-prove-the-years-had-feet-yet-confident-they-run/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [How softly summer shuts, without the creaking of a door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/how-softly-summer-shuts-without-the-creaking-of-a-door/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [“Could you tell me how to grow--or is it unconveyed--like Melody--or Witchcraft?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/could-you-tell-me-how-to-grow-or-is-it-unconveyed-like-melody-or/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [It might be lonelier Without the Loneliness - I’m so accustomed to my Fate - Perhaps the Other - Peace - Would interrupt the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/it-might-be-lonelier-without-the-loneliness-i-m-so-accustomed-to-my/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [“Inebriate of Air — am I — And Debauchee of Dew — Reeling — thro endless summer days — From Inns of Molten Blue —”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/inebriate-of-air-am-i-and-debauchee-of-dew-reeling-thro-endless/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [Luck is not chance, it's toil; fortune's expensive smile is earned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/luck-is-not-chance-it-s-toil-fortune-s-expensive-smile-is-earned/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [The abdication of Belief Makes the Behavior small- Better an ignis fatuus Than no illume at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/the-abdication-of-belief-makes-the-behavior-small-better-an-ignis/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [Longing is like a seed that wrestles in the ground](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/longing-is-like-a-seed-that-wrestles-in-the-ground/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [“He ate and drank the precious words, His spirit grew robust; He knew no more that he was poor, Nor that his frame was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/he-ate-and-drank-the-precious-words-his-spirit-grew-robust-he-knew-no/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [I SEE thee better in the dark, I do not need a light. The love of thee a prism be Excelling violet. I see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/i-see-thee-better-in-the-dark-i-do-not-need-a-light-the-love-of-thee/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [One step at a time is all it takes to get you there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/one-step-at-a-time-is-all-it-takes-to-get-you-there/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [“Whose fingers string the stalactite- Who counts the Wampum of the night”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/whose-fingers-string-the-stalactite-who-counts-the-wampum-of-the-night/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [My life closed twice before its close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/my-life-closed-twice-before-its-close/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [Until you have loved, you cannot become yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/until-you-have-loved-you-cannot-become-yourself/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) [Explore all 692 Emily Dickinson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) ## More Hour quotes > [I was painfully shy, so my aunt suggested to my mum that me and my brother go to Stage 84, a performing arts school…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cooke/i-was-painfully-shy-so-my-aunt-suggested-to-my-mum-that-me-and-my/) [Christian Cooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cooke/) > [Some wee short hour ayont the twal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/some-wee-short-hour-ayont-the-twal/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [When it comes down to music, I have no balance. I am 100 percent. It is like full throttle. Five hundred miles an hour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yanni/when-it-comes-down-to-music-i-have-no-balance-i-am-100-percent-it-is/) [Yanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yanni/) > [I swam with my first shark in the 1980s. I was 20 miles off the coast of Rhode Island, working with a group of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-skerry/i-swam-with-my-first-shark-in-the-1980s-i-was-20-miles-off-the-coast/) [Brian Skerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-skerry/) > [Truth is, I miss you. all the time, every second, every minute, every hour, every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patience/truth-is-i-miss-you-all-the-time-every-second-every-minute-every-hour/) Patience > [I wish there were more minutes in an hour, more hours in a day, more days in a week, more weeks in a month,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-wish-there-were-more-minutes-in-an-hour-more-hours-in-a-day-more/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm always exhausted after a show, even if it's just half an hour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tove-lo/i-m-always-exhausted-after-a-show-even-if-it-s-just-half-an-hour/) [Tove Lo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tove-lo/) > [We're half an hour from Toronto, which offers everything you could want from a city, and a couple of hours from beautiful vacation country.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linwood-barclay/we-re-half-an-hour-from-toronto-which-offers-everything-you-could/) [Linwood Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linwood-barclay/) > [“My favorite unit of time is the hour, because I collect them and store as many as 10 new and unused ones each night…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/my-favorite-unit-of-time-is-the-hour-because-i-collect-them-and-store/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [I like Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, as it's great for soothing dry skin and adding shine. I use it instead of balm, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-madekwe/i-like-elizabeth-arden-eight-hour-cream-as-it-s-great-for-soothing/) [Ashley Madekwe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-madekwe/) > [Give me but one hour of Scotland, Let me see it ere I die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-edmondstoune-aytoun/give-me-but-one-hour-of-scotland-let-me-see-it-ere-i-die/) [William Edmondstoune Aytoun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-edmondstoune-aytoun/) > [If Nature put not forth her power About the opening of the flower, Who is it that could live an hour?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/if-nature-put-not-forth-her-power-about-the-opening-of-the-flower-who/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [There is no place on earth, no day or night, no hour or minute, when one is not a Jew or a woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-dworkin/there-is-no-place-on-earth-no-day-or-night-no-hour-or-minute-when-one/) [Andrea Dworkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-dworkin/) > [These Americans are among the working poor with full-time jobs earning $5.15 an hour. Millions fall into this boat, even more when you consider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcy-kaptur/these-americans-are-among-the-working-poor-with-full-time-jobs/) [Marcy Kaptur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcy-kaptur/) > [Brandon McCaw can run 687,852 miles an hour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-mccaw/brandon-mccaw-can-run-687-852-miles-an-hour/) [Brandon Mccaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-mccaw/) Browse all 779 Hour quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "in this short life that only lasts ah hour how much-how little-is within our power.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Emily Dickinson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/in-this-short-life-that-only-lasts-ah-hour-how-much-how-little-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Hour" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/in-this-short-life-that-only-lasts-ah-hour-how-much-how-little-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/emily-dickinson-310_hour_in-this-short-life-that-only-lasts-ah-ho_2974677.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/emily-dickinson-310_hour_in-this-short-life-that-only-lasts-ah-ho_2974677.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/emily-dickinson-310_hour_in-this-short-life-that-only-lasts-ah-ho_2974677.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“in this short life that only lasts ah hour how much-how little-is within our power.” — Emily Dickinson", "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": "Emily Dickinson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "in this short life that only...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/in-this-short-life-that-only-lasts-ah-hour-how-much-how-little-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/in-this-short-life-that-only-lasts-ah-hour-how-much-how-little-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 } } ] } ```