Skip to content

Certain, when I was born, so long ago, Death drew the tap…

“Certain, when I was born, so long ago, Death drew the tap of life and let it flow; And ever since the tap has done its task, And now there's little but an empty cask.” quote by Geoffrey Chaucer
Download Open image
“Certain, when I was born, so long ago, Death drew the tap of life and let it flow; And ever since the tap has done its task, And now there's little but an empty cask.”

Geoffrey Chaucer

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Life is a fleeting flow that eventually empties, leaving only a hollow vessel.

In simple terms: Life is temporary and ends empty.

Key Takeaway

Live meaningfully before the tap runs dry.

Themes

mortality impermanence reflection

Mood

somber thoughtful

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • old age
  • death
  • legacy planning
  • philosophical contemplation

Key Concepts

human condition temporal nature

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does the empty cask symbolize for you?
  • How can we fill the cask with purpose?
A Different Perspective

The metaphor may oversimplify complex life experiences.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Geoffrey Chaucer

Explore all 217 Geoffrey Chaucer quotes

More Born quotes

Browse all 11,606 Born quotes