Two miniature doors side by side, one weathered and closed, the other outlined in gold and slightly open, against a plum background.

Original artwork, not a still

Alexander Graham Bell

When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker says one closed door is followed by another opening, yet people stare at the shut one so long, with such regret, that they miss the fresh possibilities. The words warn against fixating on loss, and gently urge attention toward what remains available.

Context reviewed

Share this quote