Such,' he said,'O King, seems to me the present life of…
““Such,' he said,'O King, seems to me the present life of men on earth, in comparison with that time which to us is uncertain, as if when on a winter's night you sit feasting with your ealdormen and thegnsö a single sparrow should fly swiftly into the hall, and coming in at one door, instantly fly out through another. In that time in which it is indoors it is indeed not touched by the fury of the winter, and yet, this smallest space of calmness being passed almost in a flash, from winter going into winter again, it is lost to your eyes. Somewhat like this appears the life of man; but of what follows or what went before, we are utterly ignorant.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Life's fleeting moments are like a sparrow swiftly passing through winter, leaving us unaware of deeper truths.
In simple terms: Life is brief, like a sparrow in winter.
Key Takeaway
Notice life's fleeting nature.
Themes
impermanence
ignorance
nature
winter
sparrow
philosophy
existence
Mood
philosophical
contemplative
Type
Life:1
Nature:1
Present life:1
Sparrow:1
Winter:1
Life Of Man:1
Ur Eyes:0
Said King:0
Uncertain Winter:0
Sparrow Fly:0
When to use this quote
- daily routines
- seasonal changes
- personal growth
Key Concepts
ephemeral moments
human limitation
spiritual reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the sparrow symbolize for you?
- How can awareness of impermanence guide actions?
A Different Perspective
Some may find the metaphor obscure.