Quotes by Edgar Allan Poe

About Edgar Allan Poe:

Edgar Allan Poe is generally considered the inventor of the detective fiction genre. He is further credited with contributing to the emerging genre of science fiction. He was the first well-known American writer to try to earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor. Eagerly I wished the morrow; — vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow — sorrow for the lost Lenore.

Edgar Allan Poe

Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. In their gray visions they obtain glimpses of eternity, and thrill, in waking, to find that they have been upon the verge of the great secret. In snatches...

Edgar Allan Poe

It is a happiness to wonder; -- it is a happiness to dream.

Edgar Allan Poe

Take this kiss upon the brow! And, in parting from you now, Thus much let me avow- You are not wrong, who deem That my days have been a dream; Yet if hope has flown away In a night, or in a day, In a vision, or in none, Is it therefore the less gone?...

Edgar Allan Poe

Ah, dream too bright to last! Ah, starry Hope! that didst arise But to be overcast! A voice from out the Future cries, "On! on!" — but o'er the Past (Dim gulf!) my spirit hovering lies Mute, motionless, aghast.

Edgar Allan Poe

Take this kiss upon the brow! And, in parting from you now, Thus much let me avow- You are not wrong, who deem That my days have been a dream; Yet if hope has flown away In a night, or in a day, In a vision, or in none, Is it therefore the less ? tha...

Edgar Allan Poe

Dreams! in their vivid coloring of life, As in that fleeting, shadowy, misty strife Of semblance with reality, which brings To the delirious eye, more lovely things Of Paradise and Love- and all our own! Than young Hope in his sunniest hour hath know...

Edgar Allan Poe

What needs my for his honoured bones, The labor of an age in pilèd stones, Or that his hallowed relics should be hid Under a star-y-pointing pyramid? Dear son of memory, great heir of fame, What need'st thou such weak witness of thy name?

Edgar Allan Poe

Men have called me mad; but the question is not yet settled, whether madness is or is not the loftiest intelligence– whether much that is glorious– whether all that is profound– does not spring from disease of thought– from moods of mind exal...

Edgar Allan Poe

Ah, not in knowledge is happiness, but in the acquisition of knowledge! In forever knowing, we are forever blessed; but to know all, were the curse of a fiend.

Edgar Allan Poe

He knew that Hop-Frog was not fond of wine; for it excited the poor cripple almost to madness; and madness is no comfortable feeling.

Edgar Allan Poe

Such sweet compulsion doth in music lie.

Edgar Allan Poe

Where the bright seraphim in burning row Their loud uplifted angel trumpets blow.

Edgar Allan Poe

Philosophers have often held dispute As to the seat of thought in man and brute For that the power of thought attends the latter My friend, thy beau, hath made a settled matter, And spite of dogmas current in all ages, One settled fact is better than...

Edgar Allan Poe

Twas noontide of summer, And mid-time of night; And stars, in their orbits, Shone pale, thro' the light Of the brighter, cold moon, 'Mid planets her slaves, Herself in the Heavens, Her beam on the waves. I gazed awhile On her cold smile; Too cold–t...

Edgar Allan Poe

And so sepúlchred in such pomp dost lie, That kings for such a tomb would wish to die.

Edgar Allan Poe

Gaily bedight, A gallant knight, In sunshine and in shadow, Had journeyed long, Singing a song, In search of Eldorado. But he grew old— This knight so bold— And o’er his heart a shadow— Fell as he found No spot of ground That looked like Eldo...

Edgar Allan Poe

I intend to put up with nothing that I can put down." [ , August 8, 1839]

Edgar Allan Poe

In spring of youth it was my lot To haunt of the wide world a spot The which I could not love the less- So lovely was the loneliness Of a wild lake, with black rock bound, And the tall pines that towered around. But when the Night had thrown her pall...

Edgar Allan Poe

Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.

Edgar Allan Poe

Men have called me mad; but the question is not settled whether madness is or is not the loftiest intelligence -- whether much that is glorious -- whether all that is profound -- does not spring from disease of thought -- from moods of mind exalted a...

Edgar Allan Poe

Author Bio

  • NameEdgar Allan Poe
  • DescriptionAmerican author, poet, editor and literary critic
  • AliasesPoe
  • BornJanuary 19, 1809
  • DiedOctober 7, 1849
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionPoet; Writer; Essayist; Literary Critic