The stream of Time, irresistible, ever moving, carries off…
![“The stream of Time, irresistible, ever moving, carries off and bears away all things that come to birth and plunges them into utter darkness, both deeds of no account and deeds which are mighty and worthy of commemoration; as the playwright [Sophocles] says, it 'brings to light that which was…” quote by Anna Comnena](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/50d/anna-comnena-70382_history_the-stream-of-time-irresistible-ever-mov_1332809.jpg)
““The stream of Time, irresistible, ever moving, carries off and bears away all things that come to birth and plunges them into utter darkness, both deeds of no account and deeds which are mighty and worthy of commemoration; as the playwright [Sophocles] says, it 'brings to light that which was unseen and shrouds from us that which was manifest.' Nevertheless, the science of History is a great bulwark against this stream of Time; in a way it checks this irresistible flood, it holds in a tight grasp whatever it can seize floating on the surface and will not allow it to slip away into the depths of Oblivion. ...I, having realized the effects wrought by Time, desire now by means of my writings to give an account of my father's deeds, which do not deserve to be consigned to Forgetfulness nor to be swept away on the flood of Time into an ocean of Non-Remembrance; I wish to recall everything…””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
History attempts to resist time’s erasure by recording deeds, preserving memory against oblivion.
In simple terms: Writing preserves memory against forgetting.
Key Takeaway
Document important events to combat forgetfulness.
Themes
memory
history
legacy
time
preservation
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- family memoir
- national history
- personal legacy
- academic research
Key Concepts
historical record
collective memory
mortality
Questions to Reflect On
- What stories are we choosing to remember?
- How does recording influence what we value?
A Different Perspective
Historical accounts can be biased, shaping memory selectively.