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Chance Quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“There are moments in life, when the heart is so full of emotion that if by chance it be shaken, or into its depths like a pebble Drops some careless word, it overflows, and its secret, Spilled on the ground like water, can never be gathered together.” quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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““There are moments in life, when the heart is so full of emotion that if by chance it be shaken, or into its depths like a pebble Drops some careless word, it overflows, and its secret, Spilled on the ground like water, can never be gathered together.””

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

About This Quote

Source Poem: “The Song of Hiawatha” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1855

Intense emotions can become fragile; a careless remark may cause them to spill irreversibly.

In simple terms: Strong feelings can be easily broken and lost.

Key Takeaway

Guard words when emotions run high.

Themes

emotion vulnerability communication

Mood

sorrowful reflective

Type

poetic cautionary

When to use this quote

  • conflict resolution
  • personal relationships
  • creative writing
  • public speaking

Key Concepts

fragility emotional overflow trust expression

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you protect your emotions in tense moments?
  • Can a single word repair a broken feeling?
A Different Perspective

Even when shared, feelings may not be fully recovered.

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