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a man's reach should exceed his grasp

Cultural  
  1. Words from a poem by Robert Browning, suggesting that, to achieve anything worthwhile, a person should attempt even those things that may turn out to be impossible.


Example Sentences

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An English literature major at Brown University in Rhode Island, Paterno was a voracious reader whose favorite sayings included Robert Browning's "Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?"

From Chicago Tribune • Jan. 23, 2012

Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, Or what’s a heaven for?

From Browning and the Dramatic Monologue by Curry, S. S. (Samuel Silas)

"Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp,   Or what's a heaven for?"

From To Love by Peterson, Margaret

"Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp," is Browning's rebuke to the merely prudent.

From Hidden from the Prudent The 7th William Penn Lecture, May 8, 1921 by Jones, Paul

Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, Or what’s heaven for?

From Browning and the Dramatic Monologue by Curry, S. S. (Samuel Silas)

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