When I look upon the tombs of the great, every emotion of…
““When I look upon the tombs of the great, every emotion of envy dies in me; when I read the epitaphs of the beautiful, every inordinate desire goes out; when I meet with the grief of parents upon a tombstone, my heart melts with compassion; when I see the tombs of the parents themselves, I consider the vanity of grieving for those whom we must quickly follow; when I see kings lying by those who deposed them, when I consider rival wits placed side by side, or the men that divided the world with their contests and disputes, I reflect with sorrow and astonishment on the little competitions, factions, and debates of mankind. When I read the several dates of the tombs, of some that died yesterday, and some six hundred years ago, I consider that great Day when we shall all of us be contemporaries, and make our appearance together””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Contemplates mortality, envy, compassion, and the fleeting nature of human achievements, urging humility.
In simple terms: Life’s vanities fade; we share the same fate.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility and compassion.
Themes
mortality
humility
compassion
Mood
somber
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- historical reflection
- personal loss
- philosophical discourse
- teaching ethics
Key Concepts
ephemeral fame
human equality
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing shared mortality affect your actions?
- What can we learn from past lives?
A Different Perspective
May lead to fatalism if not balanced with hope.