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Climb Quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“We have not wings we cannot soar; but, we have feet to scale and climb, by slow degrees, by more and more, the cloudy summits of our time.” quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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“We have not wings we cannot soar; but, we have feet to scale and climb, by slow degrees, by more and more, the cloudy summits of our time.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

About This Quote

Source Poem: The Climb of Time, 1865

We lack wings to soar, but we can ascend gradually with our feet, reaching higher goals over time.

In simple terms: We can't fly, but we can climb step by step.

Key Takeaway

Progress through steady effort.

Themes

perseverance growth time

Mood

hopeful determined

Type

poetic inspirational

When to use this quote

  • career advancement
  • skill learning
  • physical training
  • long‑term projects

Key Concepts

metaphor motivation

Questions to Reflect On

  • What small steps can you take today?
  • How do you stay motivated over long periods?
A Different Perspective

Slow progress can feel frustrating.

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