Skip to content

And these things that keep alive on departure know that…

“And these things that keep alive on departure know that you praise them; transient, they look to us, the most transient, to be their rescue. They want us to change them completely, in our invisible hearts, into -- O endlessly -- us! Whoever, finally, we may be.” quote by Rainer Maria Rilke
Download Open image
“And these things that keep alive on departure know that you praise them; transient, they look to us, the most transient, to be their rescue. They want us to change them completely, in our invisible hearts, into -- O endlessly -- us! Whoever, finally, we may be.”

Rainer Maria Rilke

About This Quote

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

We are urged to transform fleeting moments into lasting personal meaning.

In simple terms: Turn temporary experiences into lasting self‑reflection.

Key Takeaway

Let transience inspire personal growth.

Themes

impermanence reflection self‑transformation

Mood

contemplative poetic

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • life milestones
  • loss
  • creative work

Key Concepts

existentialism poetry

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you honor fleeting moments?
  • What does “being us” mean in change?
A Different Perspective

Change may be impossible; not all moments can be reshaped.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Rainer Maria Rilke

Explore all 861 Rainer Maria Rilke quotes

More Alive quotes

Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes