--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It strikes Werner just then as wondrously…" description: "\"“It strikes Werner just then as wondrously futile to build splendid buildings, to make music, to sing songs, to print huge books full of colorful birds..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/199/anthony-doerr-886_books_it-strikes-werner-just-then-as-wondrousl_1245437.jpg" --- # It strikes Werner just then as wondrously futile to build… ![“It strikes Werner just then as wondrously futile to build splendid buildings, to make music, to sing songs, to print huge books full of colorful birds in the face of the seismic, engulfing indifference of the world - what pretensions humans have!” quote by Anthony Doerr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/199/anthony-doerr-886_books_it-strikes-werner-just-then-as-wondrousl_1245437.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/199/anthony-doerr-886_books_it-strikes-werner-just-then-as-wondrousl_1245437.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/199/anthony-doerr-886_books_it-strikes-werner-just-then-as-wondrousl_1245437.jpg) > ““It strikes Werner just then as wondrously futile to build splendid buildings, to make music, to sing songs, to print huge books full of colorful birds in the face of the seismic, engulfing indifference of the world - what pretensions humans have!”” [Anthony Doerr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-doerr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage laments humanity's futile attempts at grand achievements when faced with the indifferent, overwhelming forces of the universe. **In simple terms:** Human endeavors seem meaningless against cosmic indifference. Key Takeaway Recognize humility in the face of vastness. Themes existentialism art human ambition Mood reflective philosophical Type literary inspirational When to use this quote - creative projects - scientific research - personal goals Key Concepts absurdity meaning cosmic perspective Questions to Reflect On - What gives your work meaning? - How do you confront existential doubt? A Different Perspective May discount the value of art and progress despite indifference. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Engineering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engineering/) [Engulfing Indifference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engulfing-indifference-3904803/) [Futile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/futile/) [Indifference World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indifference-world-1951101/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Strikes Werner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strikes-werner-3904805/) [Wondrously Futile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wondrously-futile-3904804/) ## Related quotes > [“wondrously futile to build splendid buildings, to make music, to sing songs, to print huge books full of colorful birds in the face of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-doerr/wondrously-futile-to-build-splendid-buildings-to-make-music-to-sing/) [Anthony Doerr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-doerr/) > [“He marveled at the indifference of the world, the way it kept on, despite everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-doerr/he-marveled-at-the-indifference-of-the-world-the-way-it-kept-on/) [Anthony Doerr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-doerr/) > [“The indifference of the world which Keats and Flaubert and other men of genius have found so hard to bear was in her case…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/the-indifference-of-the-world-which-keats-and-flaubert-and-other-men/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/i-opened-myself-to-the-gentle-indifference-of-the-world/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [“I run until the blind rage has washed me clean, rid me of hope. 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