--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It takes time for the absent to assume…" description: "\"It takes time for the absent to assume their true shape in our thoughts. After death they take on a firmer outline and then cease to change.\" — Colley ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc0/colley-cibber-21340_absent_it-takes-time-for-the-absent-to-assume-t_3083139.jpg" --- # It takes time for the absent to assume their true shape in… ![“It takes time for the absent to assume their true shape in our thoughts. After death they take on a firmer outline and then cease to change.” quote by Colley Cibber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc0/colley-cibber-21340_absent_it-takes-time-for-the-absent-to-assume-t_3083139.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc0/colley-cibber-21340_absent_it-takes-time-for-the-absent-to-assume-t_3083139.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc0/colley-cibber-21340_absent_it-takes-time-for-the-absent-to-assume-t_3083139.jpg) > “It takes time for the absent to assume their true shape in our thoughts. After death they take on a firmer outline and then cease to change.” [Colley Cibber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colley-cibber/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. After death, people's memories solidify, losing the fluidity they had while alive. **In simple terms:** Memories become fixed after death Key Takeaway Remember that perceptions change over time Themes mortality memory perception Mood somber thoughtful Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - grief counseling - historical research - family storytelling - legacy planning Key Concepts ephemerality psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do we honor changing memories of the deceased? - Can we ever truly capture a person's essence? A Different Perspective Memory can be unreliable and biased ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absent/) [Absent Assume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absent-assume-4589841/) [After](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/after/) [Assume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assume/) [Cease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cease/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Our](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our/) [Outline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outline/) [Shape](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shape/) [Shape Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shape-thoughts-1289103/) [Take](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/take/) [Takes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/takes/) [Takes Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/takes-time/) [Then](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/then/) [Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts/) [Thoughts Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts-death-629603/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time Absent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-absent-4589840/) [True](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true/) ## Related quotes > [It takes time for the absent to assume their true shape in our thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidonie-gabrielle-colette/it-takes-time-for-the-absent-to-assume-their-true-shape-in-our/) [Sidonie Gabrielle Colette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidonie-gabrielle-colette/) > [“How much better things would be if we all tried to mold and shape our own thoughts and actions rather than those of others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-g-miller/how-much-better-things-would-be-if-we-all-tried-to-mold-and-shape-our/) [John G. 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