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Men, my brothers, men the workers, ever reaping something new: That which they have done but earnest of the things that they shall do: For I dipped into the future, far as human eye could see, Saw the Vision of the world, and all the wonder that would be; Saw the heavens fill with commerce, argosies of magic sails, Pilots of the purple twilight, dropping down with costly bales; Heard the heavens fill with shouting, and there rained a ghastly dew From the nations' airy navies grappling in the central blue; Far along the world-wide whisper of the south-wind rushing warm, With the standards of the peoples plunging through the thunderstorm; Till the war-drum throbbed no longer, and the battle-flags were furled In the Parliament of man, the Federation of the world. There the common sense of most shall hold a fretful realm in awe, And the kindly earth shall slumber, lapped in universal law.

Alfred (Lord) Tennyson#100

PeaceWarFutureProgressUnity

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker envisions a future of global unity and peace through progress.
In plain terms
He sees the world eventually ending war and uniting under one law.
What can you take from it?
Technology and trade may lead to peace.

Where it applies

  • political reflection
  • writing about future
  • seeking hope

Putting it to work

  • writing policy
  • speech writing
  • envisioning change

Questions to consider

  • Is global peace possible?
  • What stops unity?

Another view

It overlooks how conflict often drives progress.

More from Alfred (Lord) Tennyson

  1. Make me feel the wild pulsation that I felt before the strife, When I heard my days before me, and the tumult of my life; Yearning for the large excitement tha…

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  2. So I triumphed ere my passion sweeping through me left me dry, Left with the palsied heart, and left me with the jaundiced eye; Eye, to which all order festers…

    Permalink to quote #101
  3. What is that which I should turn to, lighting upon days like these? Every door is barred with gold, and opens but to golden keys. Every gate is thronged with s…

    Permalink to quote #98

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