--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Dost thou know what a hero is? Why, a…" description: "\"Dost thou know what a hero is? Why, a hero is as much as one should say, a hero.\" — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3d/henry-wadsworth-longfellow-284_hero_dost-thou-know-what-a-hero-is-why-a-hero_1943726.jpg" --- # Dost thou know what a hero is? Why, a hero is as much as… ![“Dost thou know what a hero is? Why, a hero is as much as one should say, a hero.” quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3d/henry-wadsworth-longfellow-284_hero_dost-thou-know-what-a-hero-is-why-a-hero_1943726.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3d/henry-wadsworth-longfellow-284_hero_dost-thou-know-what-a-hero-is-why-a-hero_1943726.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3d/henry-wadsworth-longfellow-284_hero_dost-thou-know-what-a-hero-is-why-a-hero_1943726.jpg) > “Dost thou know what a hero is? Why, a hero is as much as one should say, a hero.” [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A hero is defined by actions and character, not merely reputation or titles. **In simple terms:** Heroes are judged by deeds. Key Takeaway Act with integrity to become a hero. Themes heroism character definition Mood inspirational thoughtful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - leadership - community service - personal growth Key Concepts virtue legacy Questions to Reflect On - What qualities do you associate with heroism? - How can everyday actions reflect heroism? A Different Perspective Heroic status can be fleeting without consistent behavior. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero/) ## Related quotes > [“I am my own hero,” he repeated slowly. “Say…it.” Claire said it hesitantly. “I am my own hero.” “Say it again.” “I am my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-my-own-hero-he-repeated-slowly-say-it-claire-said-it-hesitantly/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think, at the end of the day, the most special thing is when a mother or a gay person comes up to you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendon-ayanbadejo/i-think-at-the-end-of-the-day-the-most-special-thing-is-when-a-mother/) [Brendon Ayanbadejo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendon-ayanbadejo/) > [You know who was a hero? Franklin Roosevelt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/you-know-who-was-a-hero-franklin-roosevelt/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [“IT’S NOT THAT ANYONE CAN BE A HERO, BUT THAT A HERO CAN COME FROM ANYWHERE. BUT THE KEY IS THAT THEY HAVE TO…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/film-crit-hulk/it-s-not-that-anyone-can-be-a-hero-but-that-a-hero-can-come-from/) [FILM CRIT HULK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/film-crit-hulk/) > [A coward can be a hero, but a hero cannot be a coward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/a-coward-can-be-a-hero-but-a-hero-cannot-be-a-coward/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [What is a hero? Is it someone who is willing to sacrifice their life for another? Is it someone who prevents the downfall of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-is-a-hero-is-it-someone-who-is-willing-to-sacrifice-their-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The earth is enjoyed by heroes”—this is the unfailing truth. Be a hero. Always say, “I have no fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-earth-is-enjoyed-by-heroes-this-is-the-unfailing-truth-be-a-hero/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Be a hero. Always say, 'I have no fear.' Tell this to everyone - 'Have no fear.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/be-a-hero-always-say-i-have-no-fear-tell-this-to-everyone-have-no-fear/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“I hear civilians saying we’re all heroes, heard someone… was it Arthur Godfrey on Armed Forces Radio? I can’t recall, but it’s nonsense anyway.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/i-hear-civilians-saying-we-re-all-heroes-heard-someone-was-it-arthur/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“ "You're my hero," we both say at the same time. I don't hear Kent move, but all of a sudden his voice is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/you-re-my-hero-we-both-say-at-the-same-time-i-don-t-hear-kent-move/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [My father was my hero. I can't say enough about him and everything he did for me and my family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-smart/my-father-was-my-hero-i-can-t-say-enough-about-him-and-everything-he/) [Jean Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-smart/) > [“He was simply not a “hero”, which is to say, he did not let his relationship with the man be determined by the woman.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-mann/he-was-simply-not-a-hero-which-is-to-say-he-did-not-let-his/) [Thomas Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-mann/) > [A boy doesn't have to go to war to be a hero; he can say he doesn't like pie when he sees there isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-boy-doesn-t-have-to-go-to-war-to-be-a-hero-he-can-say-he-doesn-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Did you ever know that you're my hero, you're everything I wish I could be. I could fly higher than an eagle with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-morris/did-you-ever-know-that-you-re-my-hero-you-re-everything-i-wish-i/) Gary Morris > [You'll never know a hero until you meet the best friend you have ever had. We find a bit of ourselves in the person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-lucci/you-ll-never-know-a-hero-until-you-meet-the-best-friend-you-have-ever/) [Madeline Lucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-lucci/) ## More by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow > [The spring came suddenly, bursting upon the world as a child bursts into a room, with a laugh and a shout and hands full…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/the-spring-came-suddenly-bursting-upon-the-world-as-a-child-bursts/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [In old age our bodies are worn-out instruments, on which the soul tries in vain to play the melodies of youth. But because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/in-old-age-our-bodies-are-worn-out-instruments-on-which-the-soul/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [“ Endymion The rising moon has hid the stars; Her level rays, like golden bars, Lie on the landscape green, With shadows brown between.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/endymion-the-rising-moon-has-hid-the-stars-her-level-rays-like-golden/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [There's nothing fair nor beautiful, but takes Something from thee, that makes it beautiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/there-s-nothing-fair-nor-beautiful-but-takes-something-from-thee-that/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [Fame comes only when deserved, and then is as inevitable as destiny, for it is destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/fame-comes-only-when-deserved-and-then-is-as-inevitable-as-destiny/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [Nature paints not; In oils, but frescoes the great dome of heaven; With sunsets, and the lovely forms of clouds; And flying vapors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/nature-paints-not-in-oils-but-frescoes-the-great-dome-of-heaven-with/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [“  Thus dwelt together in love these simple Acadian farmers,—   Dwelt in the love of God and of man. Alike were they free from   Fear,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/thus-dwelt-together-in-love-these-simple-acadian-farmers-dwelt-in-the/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [The trees are white with dust, that o'er their sleep Wave their broad curtains in the south-wind's breath, While underneath such leafy tents they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/the-trees-are-white-with-dust-that-o-er-their-sleep-wave-their-broad/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [Heights by great men reached and kept were not obtained by sudden flight but, while their companions slept, they were toiling upward in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/heights-by-great-men-reached-and-kept-were-not-obtained-by-sudden/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [All things come round to him who will but wait.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/all-things-come-round-to-him-who-will-but-wait/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [Ah, how skillful grows the hand That obeyeth Love's command! It is the heart, and not the brain, That to the highest doth attain,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/ah-how-skillful-grows-the-hand-that-obeyeth-love-s-command-it-is-the/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [Thus departed Hiawatha, Hiawatha the Beloved, In the glory of the sunset, In the purple mists of evening, To the regions of the home-wind,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/thus-departed-hiawatha-hiawatha-the-beloved-in-the-glory-of-the/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [Books are sepulchres of thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/books-are-sepulchres-of-thought/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [Morality without religion is only a kind of dead reckoning - an endeavor to find our place on a cloudy sea by measuring the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/morality-without-religion-is-only-a-kind-of-dead-reckoning-an/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [Buried was the bloody hatchet; Buried was the dreadful war-club; Buried were all warlike weapons, And the war-cry was forgotten. Then was peace among…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/buried-was-the-bloody-hatchet-buried-was-the-dreadful-war-club-buried/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) [Explore all 755 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) ## More Hero quotes > [I've always been fascinated by the idea that there's no such thing as evil; it's all in your point of view. To one group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/i-ve-always-been-fascinated-by-the-idea-that-there-s-no-such-thing-as/) [Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/) > [I am convinced that we will never build a democratic state based on rule of law if we do not at the same time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/i-am-convinced-that-we-will-never-build-a-democratic-state-based-on/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > ['Melanin Man' was inspired by the words of an Uber driver in L.A. Before I got out of the car he said, 'They're scared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masego/melanin-man-was-inspired-by-the-words-of-an-uber-driver-in-l-a-before/) [Masego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masego/) > [Once the state has been founded, there can no longer be any heroes. They come on the scene only in uncivilized conditions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/once-the-state-has-been-founded-there-can-no-longer-be-any-heroes/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [You know, I often thought that the gangster and the artist are the same in the eyes of the masses. They're admired and hero-worshipped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-kubrick/you-know-i-often-thought-that-the-gangster-and-the-artist-are-the/) [Stanley Kubrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-kubrick/) > [“A hero is not know by the number of battles he has won, but rather by the kind of battles he chooses to fight.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tonny-k-brown/a-hero-is-not-know-by-the-number-of-battles-he-has-won-but-rather-by/) [Tonny K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tonny-k-brown/) > [The last act in the biography of the hero is that of the death or departure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/the-last-act-in-the-biography-of-the-hero-is-that-of-the-death-or/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [Teachers are heroes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-best/teachers-are-heroes/) [Charles Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-best/) > [“Forgotten hero was never the real hero, real hero can not be forgotten.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/forgotten-hero-was-never-the-real-hero-real-hero-can-not-be-forgotten/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > ['Sex and The City' was made to correct the myth that if you were single at a certain age, you were a leper. Its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-patrick-king/sex-and-the-city-was-made-to-correct-the-myth-that-if-you-were-single/) [Michael Patrick King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-patrick-king/) > [I believe in a world where there are no heroes, and I've read and know humanity a lot. There are moments that I admire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/i-believe-in-a-world-where-there-are-no-heroes-and-i-ve-read-and-know/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) > [O it's Tommy this, and Tommy that, and Tommy 'ow's your soul/But it's thin red line of heroes when the drums begin to roll.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/o-it-s-tommy-this-and-tommy-that-and-tommy-ow-s-your-soul-but-it-s/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [Benny Carter came up to me and said to me, "You know, in the whole history of the alto, I think Phil is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gordon/benny-carter-came-up-to-me-and-said-to-me-you-know-in-the-whole/) [Jon Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gordon/) [Browse all 5,602 Hero quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Dost thou know what a hero is? 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