Who said “My candle burns at both ends; it will not last the night; but ah, my foes, and oh, my…”?

Verified

Edna St. Vincent Millay. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"First Fig" from A Few Figs from Thistles (1920)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: "First Fig" from A Few Figs from Thistles (1920).

APA

Millay, E. S. V. (n.d.). My candle burns at both ends; it will not last the night; but ah, my foes, and oh, my friends -- it gives a lovely light! [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15630-my-candle-burns-at-both-ends-it-will/

MLA

Millay, Edna St. Vincent. “My candle burns at both ends; it will not last the night; but ah, my foes, and oh, my friends -- it gives a lovely light!” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15630-my-candle-burns-at-both-ends-it-will/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Millay, Edna St. Vincent. “My candle burns at both ends; it will not last the night; but ah, my foes, and oh, my friends -- it gives a lovely light!” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/15630-my-candle-burns-at-both-ends-it-will/.

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