--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: \"What is the greatest surprise you have…" description: "\"\"What is the greatest surprise you have found about life?\" a university student asked me several years ago. \"The brevity of it,\" I replied without hesi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a7/billy-graham-234_brevity_what-is-the-greatest-surprise-you-have-f_3087204.jpg" --- # "What is the greatest surprise you have found about life?"… ![“"What is the greatest surprise you have found about life?" a university student asked me several years ago. "The brevity of it," I replied without hesitation. Time moves so quickly, and no matter who we are or what we have done, the time will come when our lives will be over. As Jesus said, "As…” quote by Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a7/billy-graham-234_brevity_what-is-the-greatest-surprise-you-have-f_3087204.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a7/billy-graham-234_brevity_what-is-the-greatest-surprise-you-have-f_3087204.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a7/billy-graham-234_brevity_what-is-the-greatest-surprise-you-have-f_3087204.jpg) > “"What is the greatest surprise you have found about life?" a university student asked me several years ago. "The brevity of it," I replied without hesitation. Time moves so quickly, and no matter who we are or what we have done, the time will come when our lives will be over. As Jesus said, "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work" (John 9:4).” [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life is fleeting; we must act purposefully before it ends. **In simple terms:** Life is short, act now. Key Takeaway Live purposefully today. Themes mortality purpose faith Mood reflective serious Type spiritual motivational When to use this quote - career decisions - spiritual practice - daily work - time management Key Concepts Christianity impermanence urgency Questions to Reflect On - How do you prioritize meaning in daily tasks? - What does urgency mean for your faith? A Different Perspective Time alone may be insufficient for deep change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brevity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brevity/) [Hesitation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hesitation/) [Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night/) [Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students/) [Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise/) [University](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/university/) [University students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/university-students/) ## Related quotes > [The greatest surprise in life to me is the brevity of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/the-greatest-surprise-in-life-to-me-is-the-brevity-of-life/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Growing old has been the greatest surprise of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/growing-old-has-been-the-greatest-surprise-of-my-life/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [You showed me something I couldn't see, I don't wanna hide in the shadow, all I know is that I can't stop loving you…you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fash/you-showed-me-something-i-couldn-t-see-i-don-t-wanna-hide-in-the/) Fash > [Fate is the greatest cause of change anywhere, it can be the greatest surprise, and can be the greatest killer at times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-lofland/fate-is-the-greatest-cause-of-change-anywhere-it-can-be-the-greatest/) Miguel Lofland > [The whole business was like a child's toy that you could buy at the dime store, all built in this wonderful way that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-delbruck/the-whole-business-was-like-a-child-s-toy-that-you-could-buy-at-the/) [Max Delbruck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-delbruck/) > [We are our own greatest surprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/we-are-our-own-greatest-surprise/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Your the greatest surprise of my life, everthing change when you came into me. I Love you more than love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fash/your-the-greatest-surprise-of-my-life-everthing-change-when-you-came/) Fash > [“While on a left-turning road, stop your vehicle, get out of the vehicle, start walking to the right! Surprise life, because life is sure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/while-on-a-left-turning-road-stop-your-vehicle-get-out-of-the-vehicle/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Prayer adds an element of surprise to your life that is more fun than a surprise party or surprise gift or surprise romance. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-batterson/prayer-adds-an-element-of-surprise-to-your-life-that-is-more-fun-than/) [Mark Batterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-batterson/) > [Italy was a surprise in my life. I went there just to make money and then go back to Israel and study psychology. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moran-atias/italy-was-a-surprise-in-my-life-i-went-there-just-to-make-money-and/) [Moran Atias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moran-atias/) > [The most delightful surprise in life is to suddenly recognise your own worth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/the-most-delightful-surprise-in-life-is-to-suddenly-recognise-your/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [I suppose it's nice to have some surprise in life and to surprise yourself in life and see what else you can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-weller/i-suppose-it-s-nice-to-have-some-surprise-in-life-and-to-surprise/) [Paul Weller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-weller/) > [Surprise is joy, a way to feel, beyond the feelings, of my heart to yield. Surprise is life that cannot sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/surprise-is-joy-a-way-to-feel-beyond-the-feelings-of-my-heart-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [That I exist is a perpetual surprise which is life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/that-i-exist-is-a-perpetual-surprise-which-is-life/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [Sixty-three percent of our university students are female. But you still see violations of women's rights in Iran. A Muslim man can have up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirin-ebadi/sixty-three-percent-of-our-university-students-are-female-but-you/) [Shirin Ebadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirin-ebadi/) ## More by Billy Graham > [Faith is the avenue to salvation. Not intellectual understanding. Not money. Not your works. Just simple faith. How much faith? The faith of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/faith-is-the-avenue-to-salvation-not-intellectual-understanding-not/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/do-all-the-good-you-can-by-all-the-means-you-can-in-all-the-ways-you/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [“Make sure of your salvation by turning your life over to Him now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/make-sure-of-your-salvation-by-turning-your-life-over-to-him-now/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Suffering in life can uncover untold depths of character and unknown strength for service. People who go through life unscathed by sorrow and untouched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/suffering-in-life-can-uncover-untold-depths-of-character-and-unknown/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Faith is loved and honored by God more than any other single thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/faith-is-loved-and-honored-by-god-more-than-any-other-single-thing/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [If people are kicking you in the behind, at least you're in front of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/if-people-are-kicking-you-in-the-behind-at-least-you-re-in-front-of/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [The end of the world begins the moment you die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/the-end-of-the-world-begins-the-moment-you-die/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Those are decisions only the Lord will make. I believe the love of God is absolute. He said he gave his son for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/those-are-decisions-only-the-lord-will-make-i-believe-the-love-of-god/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [I think it is a sin to look at another person as inferior to yourself because of race or because of ethnic background and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/i-think-it-is-a-sin-to-look-at-another-person-as-inferior-to-yourself/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [My hope does not rest in the affairs of this world. It rests in Christ who is coming again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/my-hope-does-not-rest-in-the-affairs-of-this-world-it-rests-in-christ/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/to-get-nations-back-on-their-feet-we-must-first-get-down-on-our-knees/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Those who have suffered make the best comforters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/those-who-have-suffered-make-the-best-comforters/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [One response was given by the innkeeper when Mary and Joseph wanted to find a room where the Child could be born. The innkeeper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/one-response-was-given-by-the-innkeeper-when-mary-and-joseph-wanted/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Sin is the second most powerful force in the universe, for it sent Jesus to the cross. Only one force is greater-the love of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/sin-is-the-second-most-powerful-force-in-the-universe-for-it-sent/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Ruth and I don't have a perfect marriage, but we have a great one. How can I say two things that seem so contradictory?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/ruth-and-i-don-t-have-a-perfect-marriage-but-we-have-a-great-one-how/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) [Explore all 853 Billy Graham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) ## More Brevity quotes > [it is the brevity of life which makes it tolerable; its experiences have value because they have an end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winifred-holtby/it-is-the-brevity-of-life-which-makes-it-tolerable-its-experiences/) [Winifred Holtby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winifred-holtby/) > [“It's not my accent, but my brevity makes me stylish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/it-s-not-my-accent-but-my-brevity-makes-me-stylish/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [“Life is too short to waste being a productive member of society.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sol-luckman/life-is-too-short-to-waste-being-a-productive-member-of-society/) [Sol Luckman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sol-luckman/) > [This is going to take a while. I'm a fantasy author. We have trouble with the concept of brevity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-sanderson/this-is-going-to-take-a-while-i-m-a-fantasy-author-we-have-trouble/) [Brandon Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-sanderson/) > [If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; if an hour, I am ready now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/if-i-am-to-speak-ten-minutes-i-need-a-week-for-preparation-if-an-hour/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [If, in the very intense electric field in the neighbourhood of the cathode, the molecules of the gas are dissociated and are split up,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-john-thomson/if-in-the-very-intense-electric-field-in-the-neighbourhood-of-the/) [Joseph John Thomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-john-thomson/) > [Our senses will not admit anything extreme. Too much noise confuses us, too much light dazzles us, too great distance or nearness prevents vision,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/our-senses-will-not-admit-anything-extreme-too-much-noise-confuses-us/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [Conversation! Supple sentences, with first and second meanings and overtones beyond, outrageous challenges with cleverly planned slip-points, rebuttals of elegant brevity; deceptions and guiles,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-vance/conversation-supple-sentences-with-first-and-second-meanings-and/) [Jack Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-vance/) > [It is excellent discipline for an author to feel that he must say all that he has to say in the fewest possible words,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-is-excellent-discipline-for-an-author-to-feel-that-he-must-say-all/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [A drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-strunk-jr/a-drawing-should-have-no-unnecessary-lines-and-a-machine-no/) [William Strunk, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-strunk-jr/) > [Not to discriminate every moment some passionate attitude in those about us, and in the very brilliancy of their gifts some tragic dividing of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-pater/not-to-discriminate-every-moment-some-passionate-attitude-in-those/) [Walter Pater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-pater/) > [He will see himself and life and the world as truly as our human limitations will permit; realizing the brevity and minuteness of human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/he-will-see-himself-and-life-and-the-world-as-truly-as-our-human/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [There came to him an image of man’s whole life upon the earth. It seemed to him that all man’s life was like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-wolfe/there-came-to-him-an-image-of-man-s-whole-life-upon-the-earth-it/) [Thomas Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-wolfe/) > [As a writer, I'm too busy and worried to experience the delight while composing my own work, although, of course, I hope a reader…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-mcdermott/as-a-writer-i-m-too-busy-and-worried-to-experience-the-delight-while/) [Alice McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-mcdermott/) > [Aiming at brevity, I become obscure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/aiming-at-brevity-i-become-obscure/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) [Browse all 192 Brevity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brevity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "\"What is the greatest surprise you have found about life?\" a university student asked me several years ago. \"The brevity of it,\" I replied without hesitation. 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