---
title: "We twain have met like the ships upon the sea, Who hold an hour's con… — Alexander Smith Quote #10 | QuotesBy.net"
description: "We twain have met like the ships upon the sea, Who hold an hour's converse, so short, so sweet; One little hour! And then, away they speed On lonely … — a quote by Alexander Smith."
image: "https://quotesby.net/wp-content/themes/quotesby-editorial/assets/og-default.png"
---

> # We twain have met like the ships upon the sea, Who hold an hour's converse, so short, so sweet; One little hour! And then, away they speed On lonely paths, through mist and cloud and foam, To meet no more.

[Alexander Smith](https://quotesby.net/Alexander-Smith)\#10

[Time](https://quotesby.net/Alexander-Smith/time/)[Loss](https://quotesby.net/topics/loss/)[Separation](https://quotesby.net/topics/separation/)

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## About this quote

What does it mean?Two people met briefly and then went separate ways forever.In plain termsWe met for one hour and never saw each other again.What can you take from it?Some meetings are short and final.

### Where it applies

- short relationships
- travel encounters

### Putting it to work

- accepting endings
- cherishing moments

### Questions to consider

- Was a short meeting worth it?
- Do you miss brief encounters?

### Another view

Sometimes people meet again.

## More from Alexander Smith

1. > The saddest thing that befalls a soul Is when it loses faith in God and woman.

[Permalink to quote \#9](https://quotesby.net/Alexander-Smith/9/ "Permalink to quote 9")
2. > Each time we love, We turn a nearer and a broader mark To that keen archer, Sorrow, and he strikes.

[Permalink to quote \#11](https://quotesby.net/Alexander-Smith/11/ "Permalink to quote 11")
3. > Some books are drenched sands On which a great soul's wealth lies all in heaps, Like a wrecked argosy.

[Permalink to quote \#8](https://quotesby.net/Alexander-Smith/8/ "Permalink to quote 8")

## Related quotes

1. > When I died last, and dear, I die As often as from thee I go.

[John Donne](https://quotesby.net/John-Donne)[John Donne quote \#21](https://quotesby.net/John-Donne/21/ "Permalink to quote 21")
2. > Many friendships are swift and accidental, the result of a chance meeting, followed by a permanent separation.

[William Saroyan](https://quotesby.net/William-Saroyan)[William Saroyan quote \#142](https://quotesby.net/William-Saroyan/142/ "Permalink to quote 142")
3. > Each minute bursts in the burning room, The great globe reels in the solar fire, Spinning the trivial and unique away. (How all things flash! How all things fl…

[Delmore Schwartz](https://quotesby.net/Delmore-Schwartz)[Delmore Schwartz quote \#1](https://quotesby.net/Delmore-Schwartz/1/ "Permalink to quote 1")

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