Today’s Quote of the Day comes from William Wordsworth, one of the most influential poets of the English Romantic movement. The quote reflects on the enduring and often immeasurable nature of human suffering, presenting it as something that transcends time and clear boundaries. Wordsworth’s observation moves beyond personal pain to address suffering as a universal human condition. His words continue to resonate in discussions of emotional resilience, philosophy, and literature.
Quotes of the Day offer readers a moment to pause and reflect on ideas that have shaped human thought across centuries. Drawn from literature, history, and public life, these quotations help place everyday experiences within a broader intellectual and cultural context. William Wordsworth’s reflections on suffering remain relevant because they confront an aspect of life that is both deeply personal and widely shared. His words encourage thoughtful consideration rather than easy consolation.
Quote of the Day
“Suffering is permanent, obscure and dark, And shares the nature of infinity.” — William Wordsworth
Meaning & Interpretation
In this quote, Wordsworth describes suffering as something enduring and difficult to fully comprehend. By calling it “permanent,” he suggests that pain is not a temporary anomaly but an ongoing part of human existence. The words “obscure and dark” reflect how suffering often lacks clear explanations or visible boundaries. When Wordsworth compares suffering to infinity, he emphasizes its vastness and the way it can feel endless to those experiencing it. Rather than offering comfort, the quote presents an honest, philosophical acknowledgment of human vulnerability.
About the Author
William Wordsworth (1770–1850) was an English poet and a central figure in the Romantic movement. Born in England, he is best known for works such as Lyrical Ballads (co-authored with Samuel Taylor Coleridge) and poems like Tintern Abbey and Ode: Intimations of Immortality. Wordsworth’s poetry often focused on nature, memory, emotion, and the inner life of individuals. His writing helped redefine poetry as a reflection of ordinary human experiences and feelings.
Modern-Day Relevance
Wordsworth’s observation remains relevant in today’s world, where discussions around mental health, trauma, and emotional well-being are increasingly prominent. The quote does not attempt to minimize suffering or frame it as easily overcome. Instead, it reflects a realistic understanding that pain can be complex and long-lasting. In modern contexts — from personal challenges to global crises — the idea of suffering as vast and difficult to measure continues to resonate, encouraging empathy and thoughtful reflection rather than simplistic solutions.
Related Quotes by William Wordsworth (Optional)
- “Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”
- “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.”
- “The mind that is wise mourns less for what age takes away.”
- “Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher.”
- “Wisdom is oftentimes nearer when we stoop than when we soar.”
