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Some say that we shall never know, and that to the gods we…

“Some say that we shall never know, and that to the gods we are like the flies that the boys kill on a summer's day, and some say, to the contrary, that the very sparrows do not lose a feather that has not been brushed away by the finger of God.” quote by Thornton Wilder
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“Some say that we shall never know, and that to the gods we are like the flies that the boys kill on a summer's day, and some say, to the contrary, that the very sparrows do not lose a feather that has not been brushed away by the finger of God.”

Thornton Wilder

About This Quote

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

Human existence is fleeting and fragile, with divine mystery beyond our control.

In simple terms: Life is short and mysterious.

Key Takeaway

Accept uncertainty and cherish moments.

Themes

mortality divine mystery human fragility

Mood

reflective melancholic

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • daily life
  • grief
  • spiritual reflection

Key Concepts

existentialism theology impermanence

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you find meaning in life's brevity?
  • What role does faith play in your daily decisions?
A Different Perspective

The quote may overstate divine influence on trivial events.

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