Age Quote by Arthur O'Shaughnessy
“We, in the ages lying In the buried past of the earth, Built Nineveh with our sighing, And Babel itself with our mirth; And o'erthrew them with prophesying To the old of the new world's worth; For each age is a dream that is dying, Or one that is coming to birth.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Dream of the World" (1885)
Each era is a fleeting dream; past civilizations rise and fall, and new ones emerge, reflecting the cyclical nature of history.
In simple terms: History repeats in cycles of rise, fall, and rebirth.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the transience of eras.
Themes
history
civilization
cycles
impermanence
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- studying history
- teaching
- personal contemplation
- creative writing
Key Concepts
temporal perspective
philosophical reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- What lessons can we draw from past empires?
- How do we shape our own era?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on cycles may overlook individual agency.
