Death Quote by David Ferry
““How long does a building stand before it falls? How long does a contract last? How long will brothers share the inheritance before they quarrel? How long does hatred, for that matter, last? Time after time the river has risen and flooded. The insect leaves the cocoon to live but a minute. How long is the eye able to look at the sun? From the very beginning nothing at all has lasted. See how the dead and the sleeping resemble each other. Seen together, they are the image of death. The simple man and the ruler resemble each other. The face of the one will darken like that of the other.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Longness of Time” by David Ferry, 1995
The passage reflects on the impermanence of all things—structures, agreements, relationships, emotions, and life itself—highlighting that everything ultimately fades or ends.
In simple terms: All things are temporary and will end.
Key Takeaway
Embrace impermanence and cherish the present.
Themes
impermanence
philosophy
humanity
transience
mortality
Mood
reflective
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
poetic
contemplative
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- career contracts
- building projects
- environmental cycles
- emotional conflicts
Key Concepts
existentialism
ephemerality
cyclical nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you find value in temporary experiences?
- What practices help you accept change?
A Different Perspective
Even fleeting moments hold meaning despite inevitable decay.
