Saying: ’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all
Info
- Title: ’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all
- Type: Sayings
- Category: { Love and Romance }
- Print: Download as PDF for printing
’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. This concise statement by Alfred, Lord Tennyson emphasizes that experiencing love, even if it ends in loss, holds greater value than never experiencing love at all. Tennyson created this quote in response to personal grief, highlighting that emotional experience matters more than its conclusion.
Origin and Usage of the Quote
The quote was authored by Alfred, Lord Tennyson and originates from his English work "In Memoriam A.H.H.": ’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Tennyson composed this canto between 1849 and 1850, during his mourning for friend Arthur Henry Hallam. The poem is considered an elegiac milestone of the Victorian era. This line frequently appears in literary essays, speeches, and cultural contexts.
Meaning and Interpretation of the Quote
This statement highlights that true love and its impact on life hold greater significance than never experiencing deep emotions at all.
- Value of experience: Love remains meaningful even through loss.
- Coping with grief: Reflects Tennyson's personal processing of loss.
- Emotional enrichment considered superior to emotional avoidance.
- Cultural resonance: Often cited in literature, philosophy, and arts.
- Universal appeal: Addresses universally shared human experiences.
- Literary depth: The poem conveys hope despite mourning.
Further insights on Tennyson’s "In Memoriam" can be explored in detail through the analysis provided by the Poetry Foundation in their article on Canto 27 of "In Memoriam A.H.H.".