The Pilgrim of Eternity, whose fame Over his living head like Heaven is bent, An early but enduring monument, Came, veiling all the lightnings of his song In sorrow.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A famous figure travels with a sad demeanor despite his bright reputation.
- In plain terms
- A well-known person hides his bright spirit behind sorrow.
- What can you take from it?
- Fame often comes with hidden sadness.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does success bring happiness or burden?
- How do you handle public attention?
Another view
Not all famous people hide their joy behind sadness.
More from Percy Bysshe Shelley
As long as skies are blue, and fields are green, Evening must usher night, night urge the morrow, Month follow month with woe, and year wake year to sorrow.
Permalink to quote #145 A pardlike Spirit beautiful and swift - A Love in desolation masked; - a Power Girt round with weakness; - it can scarce uplift The weight of the superincumben…
Permalink to quote #147 Alas! that all we loved of him should be, But for our grief, as if it had not been, And grief itself be mortal! Woe is me! Whence are we, and why are we? of wh…
Permalink to quote #144
Related quotes
A pinch of notoriety will do.
Quentin CrispQuentin Crisp quote #1 Mark how my fame rings out from zone to zone: A thousand critics shouting: 'He's unknown!'
Ambrose BierceAmbrose Bierce quote #1 What rage for fame attends both great and small! Better be damned than mentioned not at all.
John WolcotJohn Wolcot quote #1