A myriad of men are born; they labor and sweat and…
“A myriad of men are born; they labor and sweat and struggle; ...they squabble and scold and fight; they scramble for little mean advantages over each other; age creeps upon them; infirmities follow; ...those they love are taken from them, and the joy of life is turned to aching grief. It comes at last--the only unpoisoned gift earth ever had for them--and they vanish from a world where they were of no consequence, ...a world which will lament them a day and forget them forever.”
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 struggle marked by ambition, conflict, aging, and loss, culminating in an untainted death that leaves no lasting impact.
In simple terms: Existential futility of human ambition
Key Takeaway
Life's transience and insignificance
Themes
mortality
conflict
impermanence
meaninglessness
human condition
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
philosophical
lamentation
When to use this quote
- reflecting on personal legacy
- grieving a loved one
- contemplating aging
- observing societal conflicts
- considering mortality
Key Concepts
life cycle
social competition
aging
death
Practical Applications
- philosophical essays
- motivational talks
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to leave a mark?
- How does awareness of mortality shape our choices?