Dear me! how long is art! And short is our life! I often…
““Dear me! how long is art! And short is our life! I often know amid the scholar's strife A sinking feeling in my mind and heart. How difficult the means are to be found By which the primal sources may be breached; And long before the halfway point is reached, They bury a poor devil in the ground.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Art is fleeting, life is short, and the search for meaning is fraught with difficulty and existential dread.
In simple terms: Art is brief, life is brief, meaning is hard to find.
Key Takeaway
Seek purpose despite life's brevity.
Themes
existentialism
art
mortality
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- philosophical debate
- counseling
Key Concepts
meaning of life
creative expression
human condition
Questions to Reflect On
- How can art help confront mortality?
- What practices nurture lasting meaning?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on art may distract from practical responsibilities.