Skip to content

I know that I am mortal and the creature of a day; but…

“I know that I am mortal and the creature of a day; but when I search out the massed wheeling circles of the stars, my feet no longer touch the earth, but, side by side with Zeus himself, I take my fill of ambrosia, the food of the gods.” quote by Ptolemy
Download Open image
“I know that I am mortal and the creature of a day; but when I search out the massed wheeling circles of the stars, my feet no longer touch the earth, but, side by side with Zeus himself, I take my fill of ambrosia, the food of the gods.”

Ptolemy

About This Quote

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

Contemplating the cosmos can lift us beyond earthly concerns, connecting us to something greater.

In simple terms: Thinking about the stars makes us feel larger than ourselves.

Key Takeaway

Seek moments of awe to gain perspective.

Themes

wonder transcendence humility

Mood

inspired reflective

Type

philosophical poetic

When to use this quote

  • night sky watching
  • meditation
  • reading poetry
  • traveling to observatories

Key Concepts

astronomy philosophy mythology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How often do you look up at the stars?
  • What does this sense of awe inspire you to do?
A Different Perspective

The feeling may be fleeting and not solve practical problems.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Ptolemy

Explore all 15 Ptolemy quotes

More Ambrosia quotes

Browse all 19 Ambrosia quotes