Alas Quote by Charles Caleb Colton
“Alas! What is man? Whether he be deprived of that light which is from on high, of whether he discard it, a frail and trembling creature; standing on time, that bleak and narrow isthmus between two eternities, he sees nothing but impenetrable darkness on the one hand, and doubt, distrust, and conjecture, still more perplexing, on the other. Most gladly would he take an observation, as to whence he has come, or whither he is going; alas, he has not the means: his telescope is too dim, his compass too wavering, his plummet too short.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Miscellany, 1825
Human existence is caught between unknown beginnings and ends, leaving us in darkness, doubt, and speculation without clear direction.
In simple terms: We are lost between unknown and endings, lacking guidance.
Key Takeaway
Seek knowledge and humility.
Themes
existence
uncertainty
knowledge
humility
philosophy
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- academic study
- spiritual practice
- creative writing
Key Concepts
epistemology
existentialism
metaphysics
Questions to Reflect On
- What can we truly know about our origins?
- How should we act amid uncertainty?
A Different Perspective
Human perception is limited; absolute truth may be unattainable.
