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Not that I would reject those resemblances of the human…

“Not that I would reject those resemblances of the human figure which are engraven in brass or marbles but as their originals are frail and perishable, so likewise are they: while the form of the mind is eternal, and not to be retained or expressed by any foreign matter, or the artist's skill, but…” quote by Tacitus
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““Not that I would reject those resemblances of the human figure which are engraven in brass or marbles but as their originals are frail and perishable, so likewise are they: while the form of the mind is eternal, and not to be retained or expressed by any foreign matter, or the artist's skill, but by the manners of the survivors.””

Tacitus

About This Quote

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

Human forms are temporary, but the mind’s essence endures beyond physical representation, surviving through cultural memory.

In simple terms: Mind endures; bodies decay.

Key Takeaway

Focus on lasting ideas.

Themes

mortality legacy mind

Mood

contemplative thoughtful

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

  • art criticism
  • historical analysis
  • personal growth
  • education

Key Concepts

transience cultural memory philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What aspects of your mind do you want to preserve?
  • How do you honor the eternal over the fleeting?
A Different Perspective

Physical monuments cannot capture the full depth of human thought.

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