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Early morning Quote by Czesław Miłosz

“Not soon, as late as the approach of my ninetieth year, I felt a door opening in me and I entered the clarity of early morning. One after another my former lives were departing, like ships, together with their sorrow. And the countries, cities, gardens, the bays of seas assigned to my brush came…” quote by Czesław Miłosz
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““Not soon, as late as the approach of my ninetieth year, I felt a door opening in me and I entered the clarity of early morning. One after another my former lives were departing, like ships, together with their sorrow. And the countries, cities, gardens, the bays of seas assigned to my brush came closer, ready now to be described better than they were before. I was not separated from people, grief and pity joined us. We forget—I kept saying—that we are all children of the King. For where we come from there is no division into Yes and No, into is, was, and will be. We were miserable, we used no more than a hundredth part of the gift we received for our long journey. Moments from yesterday and from centuries ago— a sword blow, the painting of eyelashes before a mirror of polished metal, a lethal musket shot, a caravel staving its hull against a reef—they dwell in us, waiting for a fulfillment. I knew, always, that I would be a worker in the vineyard, as are all men and women living at the same time, whether they are aware of it or not.””

Czesław Miłosz

About This Quote

Source Poem: "The Door" (collection)

The poet reflects on aging, seeing life as a series of doors opening, past lives departing, and a sense of unity with humanity and purpose.

In simple terms: Aging brings clarity and unity.

Key Takeaway

Embrace life’s stages and shared humanity.

Themes

aging clarity unity

Mood

contemplative hopeful

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal reflection
  • creative work
  • elder years

Key Concepts

existentialism spirituality legacy

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you perceive your life’s doors?
  • What legacy do you wish to leave?
A Different Perspective

May be abstract, hard to apply practically.

3.8 out of 5 (6 ratings)

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