“The ninety and nine are with dreams, content but the hope of the world made new, is the hundredth man who is grimly bent on making those dreams come true.”
- January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849
- American
- Novelist, poet, critic
- A pioneer of Gothic and detective novels, he wrote works such as “The Black Cat,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” and “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.”
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Quote
“The ninety and nine are with dreams, content but the hope of the world made new, is the hundredth man who is grimly bent on making those dreams come true.”
Explanation
In this quote, Edgar Allan Poe draws a distinction between those who are content with merely dreaming and those who are determined to act upon their dreams. The “ninety and nine” represent the majority—people who are satisfied with the abstract idea of a better world, a life full of possibilities and fantasies. However, it is the “hundredth man,” the one who is “grimly bent”, that represents the person who not only dreams of a better world but is focused on transforming those dreams into reality, no matter the difficulty or sacrifice involved. This quote speaks to the idea that true change and progress come from the actions of a few determined individuals, rather than from the idle dreaming of the many.
Poe’s perspective is rooted in his romanticism, which often emphasized the importance of individual vision and the determined pursuit of ideals, even in the face of adversity. The “hundredth man” who is grimly bent on making dreams come true reflects the heroic individual who takes responsibility for realizing change and pushing forward in the face of obstacles. This mirrors Poe’s often bleak but inspiring view of human nature—the belief that meaningful action requires not just vision, but a relentless commitment to bringing that vision to life, often in a world that may seem indifferent or even hostile.
In contemporary contexts, this quote resonates with the idea that innovation, progress, and social change are often driven by a small minority of individuals who are willing to take risks, challenge the status quo, and work tirelessly to make their dreams a reality. In a world where many are content with the comfort of the familiar, the “hundredth man” is the one who stands out by daring to create the future rather than waiting for it to unfold. Whether in politics, technology, or social movements, it is those who are willing to act on their dreams that ultimately shape the world for the better.
