Who said “Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?”?

Verified

Robert Browning. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"Andrea del Sarto", line 98.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: "Andrea del Sarto", line 98..

APA

Browning, R. (n.d.). Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for? [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6165-ah-but-a-mans-reach-should-exceed-his/

MLA

Browning, Robert. “Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6165-ah-but-a-mans-reach-should-exceed-his/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Browning, Robert. “Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6165-ah-but-a-mans-reach-should-exceed-his/.