Reach exceeds his grasp

Posted by Bob on May 17, 2007

In Reply to: Reach exceeds his grasp posted by Bob on May 17, 2007

: : What is the meaning/origin of the phrase:

: : (his) "reach exceeds his grasp"?

: "Ah but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a Heaven for?"
: It's from Browning, and it's a call to attemptthe impossible, the unlikely, the more-than-you're-comfortable-with. The attempt will allow you to gain the most. Don't settle for what's easily attainable.

I must be slipping, I should have looked in the archives to see another, albeit passing, reference:
www.phrases.org.uk bulletin_board 33 messages 717.html