--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And further, God should not be regarded…" description: "\"“And further, God should not be regarded as older than His creations by any period of time, but rather by the peculiar property of His own single natur..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c9/boethius-11247_foreknowledge_and-further-god-should-not-be-regarded-a_2543488.png" --- # And further, God should not be regarded as older than His… ![“And further, God should not be regarded as older than His creations by any period of time, but rather by the peculiar property of His own single nature. For the infinite changing of temporal things tries to imitate the ever simultaneously present immutability of His life: it cannot succeed in…” quote by Boethius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c9/boethius-11247_foreknowledge_and-further-god-should-not-be-regarded-a_2543488.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c9/boethius-11247_foreknowledge_and-further-god-should-not-be-regarded-a_2543488.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c9/boethius-11247_foreknowledge_and-further-god-should-not-be-regarded-a_2543488.png) > ““And further, God should not be regarded as older than His creations by any period of time, but rather by the peculiar property of His own single nature. For the infinite changing of temporal things tries to imitate the ever simultaneously present immutability of His life: it cannot succeed in imitating or equalling this, but sinks from immutability into change, and falls from the single directness of the present into an infinite space of future and past. And since this temporal state cannot possess its life completely and simultaneously, but it does, in the same manner, exist forever without ceasing, it therefore seems to try in some degree to rival that which it cannot fulfill or represent, for it binds itself to some sort of present time out of this small and fleeting moment; but inasmuch as this temporal present bears a certain appearance of that abiding present, it somehow makes those, to whom it comes, seem to be in truth what they imitate. But since this imitation could not be abiding, the unending march of time has swept it away, and thus we find that it has bound together, as it passes, a chain of life, which it could not by abiding embrace in its fullness. And thus if we would apply proper epithets to those subjects, we can say, following Plato, that God is eternal, but the universe is continual.”” [Boethius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boethius/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. God is eternal and immutable, whereas the universe is ever‑changing; this distinction highlights a timeless presence versus temporal flux. **In simple terms:** God is unchanging; the universe changes. Key Takeaway Recognize the difference between eternal and temporal. Themes eternity change philosophy Mood wonderful contemplative serene Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - spiritual contemplation - academic study - creative writing - personal reflection - ethical decision‑making Key Concepts metaphysics ontology theology Questions to Reflect On - How does eternity influence daily life? - Can we live with temporal limits? 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