--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is better to burn the candle at both…" description: "\"It is better to burn the candle at both ends, and in the middle, too, than to put it away in the closet and let the mice eat it.\" — Henry Van Dyke" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/443/henry-van-dyke-2453_candle_it-is-better-to-burn-the-candle-at-both_2911135.png" --- # It is better to burn the candle at both ends, and in the… ![“It is better to burn the candle at both ends, and in the middle, too, than to put it away in the closet and let the mice eat it.” quote by Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/443/henry-van-dyke-2453_candle_it-is-better-to-burn-the-candle-at-both_2911135.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/443/henry-van-dyke-2453_candle_it-is-better-to-burn-the-candle-at-both_2911135.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/443/henry-van-dyke-2453_candle_it-is-better-to-burn-the-candle-at-both_2911135.png) > “It is better to burn the candle at both ends, and in the middle, too, than to put it away in the closet and let the mice eat it.” [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Burning the candle fully, even at both ends, is better than hiding it and letting it waste. **In simple terms:** Use your talents fully, don’t hide them. Key Takeaway Embrace full engagement. Themes fulfillment waste potential Mood hopeful reflective Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - career ambition - creative projects - personal growth Key Concepts literary metaphor life philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What passions are you neglecting? - How can you balance intensity and rest? A Different Perspective Burnout risk if overextended. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better Burn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-burn-526385/) [Burn Candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burn-candle-1203199/) [Candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle/) [Candle Ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle-ends-284662/) [Closets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/closets/) [Ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ends/) [Let Mice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/let-mice-3526000/) [Mice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mice/) [Mice Eat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mice-eat-4193781/) [Middle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle/) ## Related quotes > [When you're young, you can burn the candle at both ends, and you're fine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lukather/when-you-re-young-you-can-burn-the-candle-at-both-ends-and-you-re-fine/) [Steve Lukather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lukather/) > [“It’s a principle you can see validated in your own life when you burn the candle at both ends to get more golden eggs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/it-s-a-principle-you-can-see-validated-in-your-own-life-when-you-burn/) [Stephen R. 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A candle burns to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohd-aariff-khan/its-my-bad-luck-that-i-cant-differentiate-between-a-candle-and-a/) [Mohd Aariff Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohd-aariff-khan/) > [If you don't burn the candle at both ends, what's the candle got two ends for?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-haddam/if-you-don-t-burn-the-candle-at-both-ends-what-s-the-candle-got-two/) [Jane Haddam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-haddam/) > [I burned my candle at both ends, And now have neither foes nor friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-hoffenstein/i-burned-my-candle-at-both-ends-and-now-have-neither-foes-nor-friends/) [Samuel Hoffenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-hoffenstein/) > [In one way, I suppose, I have been 'in denial' for some time, knowingly burning the candle at both ends and finding that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/in-one-way-i-suppose-i-have-been-in-denial-for-some-time-knowingly/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [I lit my candle at both ends when you swore you would stay, but when you left they both went as you slammed the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-ashmore/i-lit-my-candle-at-both-ends-when-you-swore-you-would-stay-but-when/) [Timothy Ashmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-ashmore/) > [A brief candle,both ends burning An endless mile, a bus wheel turning A friend to share the lonesome times A handshake and a sip…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-daniels/a-brief-candle-both-ends-burning-an-endless-mile-a-bus-wheel-turning/) [Charlie Daniels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-daniels/) > [I burned the candle at both ends and it often gave a lovely light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/i-burned-the-candle-at-both-ends-and-it-often-gave-a-lovely-light/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [Burning the candle at both ends for God's sake may be foolishness to the world, but it is a profitable Christian exercise-for so much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/burning-the-candle-at-both-ends-for-god-s-sake-may-be-foolishness-to/) [Fulton J. 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Ah, love in beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/a-little-while-the-rose-and-after-that-the-thorn-an-hour-of-dewy-morn/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [A peace that depends on fear is nothing but a suppressed war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/a-peace-that-depends-on-fear-is-nothing-but-a-suppressed-war/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Love is not about getting - but giving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/love-is-not-about-getting-but-giving/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Favorite People, Favorite Places, Favorite Memories of the past ... These are the joys of a lifetime Those are the things that last](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/favorite-people-favorite-places-favorite-memories-of-the-past-these/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Religion? Yes, I know it well; I've heard its prayers and creeds, And seen men put them all to shame with poor, half-hearted deeds.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/religion-yes-i-know-it-well-i-ve-heard-its-prayers-and-creeds-and/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [It is better to desire the things we have than to have the things we desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/it-is-better-to-desire-the-things-we-have-than-to-have-the-things-we/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Jazz: Music invented for the torture of imbeciles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/jazz-music-invented-for-the-torture-of-imbeciles/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Lord, when my spirit shall return to thee, At the foot of a friendly tree let my body be buried, That this dust may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/lord-when-my-spirit-shall-return-to-thee-at-the-foot-of-a-friendly/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/gratitude-is-the-inward-feeling-of-kindness-received-thankfulness-is/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [In warlike pomp, with banners flowing, The regiments of autumn stood: I saw their gold and scarlet glowing From every hillside, every wood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/in-warlike-pomp-with-banners-flowing-the-regiments-of-autumn-stood-i/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/there-is-a-better-thing-than-the-observance-of-christmas-day-and-that/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) [Explore all 165 Henry Van Dyke quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) ## More Candle quotes > [I'm a candle flame that sways in currents of air you can't see. You need to be the one who steadies me to burn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-gordimer/i-m-a-candle-flame-that-sways-in-currents-of-air-you-can-t-see-you/) [Nadine Gordimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadine-gordimer/) > [I still get nervous about singing. I drink tea with honey and lemon before every concert. And I need to have scented candles in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-j-blige/i-still-get-nervous-about-singing-i-drink-tea-with-honey-and-lemon/) [Mary J. Blige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-j-blige/) > [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/) > [Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/every-wife-ought-to-answer-for-her-man-if-the-husband-be-engaged-in-a/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. Therefore, I am amused when I hear sects and churches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/miracles-are-like-candles-lit-up-until-the-sun-rises-and-then-blown/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [On Hanukkah, the first dark night, Light yourself a candle bright. I'll you, if you will me invite To dance within that gentle light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-gordon/on-hanukkah-the-first-dark-night-light-yourself-a-candle-bright-i-ll/) [Nick Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-gordon/) > [I try to be the clown and court jester and make people laugh. At the same time, you have people in the hospital who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-simmons/i-try-to-be-the-clown-and-court-jester-and-make-people-laugh-at-the/) [Richard Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-simmons/) > [Only by the candle, held in the skeleton hand of Poverty, can man read his own dark heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/only-by-the-candle-held-in-the-skeleton-hand-of-poverty-can-man-read/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [Traveling is all very well if you can get home at night. I would be willing to go around the world if I came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gladys-taber/traveling-is-all-very-well-if-you-can-get-home-at-night-i-would-be/) [Gladys Taber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gladys-taber/) > [Go not to the temple to put flowers upon the feet of God, first fill your own house with the fragrance of love. Go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/go-not-to-the-temple-to-put-flowers-upon-the-feet-of-god-first-fill/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [“Two ways to be a light for all, is to be a flaming candle or the mirror that reflects it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-wharton/two-ways-to-be-a-light-for-all-is-to-be-a-flaming-candle-or-the/) [Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-wharton/) > [“Some will see your flame and want to blow it out...others will approach with a candle...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenita-vangellis/some-will-see-your-flame-and-want-to-blow-it-out-others-will-approach/) [Lenita Vangellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenita-vangellis/) > [So here I sit in the early candle-light of old age-I and my book-casting backward glances over out travel'd road.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/so-here-i-sit-in-the-early-candle-light-of-old-age-i-and-my-book/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [I was eating beans by candle light for a decade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-andre/i-was-eating-beans-by-candle-light-for-a-decade/) [Eric Andre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-andre/) > [The stars begin to fade like guttering candles and are snuffed out one by one. Out in the depths of space the great celestial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-robert-harrison/the-stars-begin-to-fade-like-guttering-candles-and-are-snuffed-out/) [Edward Robert Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-robert-harrison/) [Browse all 1,033 Candle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is better to burn the candle at both ends, and in the middle, too, than to put it away in the closet and let the mice eat it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Henry Van Dyke" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/it-is-better-to-burn-the-candle-at-both-ends-and-in-the-middle-too/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Candle" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/it-is-better-to-burn-the-candle-at-both-ends-and-in-the-middle-too/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/443/henry-van-dyke-2453_candle_it-is-better-to-burn-the-candle-at-both_2911135.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/443/henry-van-dyke-2453_candle_it-is-better-to-burn-the-candle-at-both_2911135.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/443/henry-van-dyke-2453_candle_it-is-better-to-burn-the-candle-at-both_2911135.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is better to burn the candle at both ends, and in the middle, too, than to put it away in the closet and…” — Henry Van Dyke", "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": "Henry Van Dyke", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is better to burn the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/it-is-better-to-burn-the-candle-at-both-ends-and-in-the-middle-too/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/it-is-better-to-burn-the-candle-at-both-ends-and-in-the-middle-too/#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 } } ] } ```