You see that stones are worn away by time, Rocks rot, and…
““You see that stones are worn away by time, Rocks rot, and twoers topple, even the shrines And images of the gods grow very tired, Develop crack or wrinkles, their holy wills Unable to extend their fated term, To litigate against the Laws of Nature. And don't we see the monuments of men Collapse, as if to ask us, "Are not we As frail as those whom we commemorate?"? Boulders come plunging down from the mountain heights, Poor weaklings with no power to resist The thrust that says to them, Your time has come! But they would be rooted in steadfastness Had they endured from time beyond all time, As far back as infinity. Look about you! Whatever it is that holds in its embrace All earth, if it projects, as some men say, All things out of itself, and takes them back When they have perished, must itself consist Of mortal elements. The parts must add Up to the sum. Whatever gives away Must lose in the procedure, and gain again Whenever it takes back.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
All things, even divine monuments, decay over time; permanence is an illusion, and everything returns to its elemental origins.
In simple terms: Everything eventually breaks down and returns to basic elements.
Key Takeaway
Accept impermanence and act responsibly.
Themes
mortality
impermanence
nature
humility
Mood
contemplative
humble
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- environmental policy
- legacy planning
- personal legacy
- cultural preservation
Key Concepts
entropy
cosmic cycles
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing decay affect your priorities?
- What lasting impact can you create within finite time?
A Different Perspective
Human achievements are fleeting; hubris ignores natural limits.