Circles Quote by Antonio Machado
“Hell is the bloodcurdling mansion of time, in whose profoundest circle Satan himself waits, winding a gargantuan watch in his hand.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “Madrigal” (1907)
Time is depicted as a terrifying mansion where even Satan waits, emphasizing the dread and inevitability of mortality.
In simple terms: Time is a frightening, inevitable place.
Key Takeaway
Respect time’s power.
Themes
mortality
fear
existential
Mood
somber
contemplative
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- historical analysis
- literary study
Key Concepts
philosophy
poetry
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this image change your view of time?
- Can fear of time motivate action?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may overwhelm rather than clarify.
![“Tell them you came, and saw, and looked into my eyes and saw the shadow of the guard receding. Thoughts in time and out of season, the hitchinker stood by the side of the road and levelled his thumb in the calm calculus of reason. [...] Why does my mind circle around you? Why do planets wonder…” quote by Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9ae/jim-morrison-1692_bird_tell-them-you-came-and-saw-and-looked-in_18280.jpg)