--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ah! what is human life? How, like the…" description: "\"Ah! what is human life? How, like the dial's tardy-moving shade, Day after day slides from us unperceiv'd! The cunning fugitive is swift by stealth; To..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/edward-young-1446_cunning_ah-what-is-human-life-how-like-the-dial_279676.png" --- # Ah! what is human life? How, like the dial's tardy-moving… ![“Ah! what is human life? How, like the dial's tardy-moving shade, Day after day slides from us unperceiv'd! The cunning fugitive is swift by stealth; Too subtle is the movement to be seen; Yet soon the hour is up--and we are gone.” quote by Edward Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/edward-young-1446_cunning_ah-what-is-human-life-how-like-the-dial_279676.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/edward-young-1446_cunning_ah-what-is-human-life-how-like-the-dial_279676.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/edward-young-1446_cunning_ah-what-is-human-life-how-like-the-dial_279676.png) > “Ah! what is human life? How, like the dial's tardy-moving shade, Day after day slides from us unperceiv'd! The cunning fugitive is swift by stealth; Too subtle is the movement to be seen; Yet soon the hour is up--and we are gone.” [Edward Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-young/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life passes unnoticed, fleeting like a slow-moving shadow, unnoticed until it’s gone. **In simple terms:** Life slips by unnoticed. Key Takeaway Recognize time’s swift passage. Themes mortality impermanence reflection Mood contemplative melancholic Type philosophical poetic When to use this quote - daily routine - career planning - relationships - health decisions Key Concepts ephemerality time perception Questions to Reflect On - How do you notice time’s flow? - What habits can you change to honor each day? A Different Perspective Life’s brevity can be ignored, leading to wasted potential. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fugitive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fugitive/) [Human life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-life/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Movement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movement/) [Shade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shade/) [Stealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stealth/) ## Related quotes > [The majority of individuals view their surroundings with a minimal amount of observational effort. They are unaware of the rich tapestry of details that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-navarro/the-majority-of-individuals-view-their-surroundings-with-a-minimal/) [Joe Navarro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-navarro/) > [Behind the visible movement there is another movement, one which cannot be seen, which is very strong, on which the outer movement depends. 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All charity should be done by stealth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romain-rolland/i-distrust-official-charity-all-charity-should-be-done-by-stealth/) [Romain Rolland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romain-rolland/) > [In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/in-art-and-dream-may-you-proceed-with-abandon-in-life-may-you-proceed/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [“F-35C & The South China Sea... Now what could possibly go wrong with that combination? I guess China will now be looking for that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-t-hincks/f-35c-the-south-china-sea-now-what-could-possibly-go-wrong-with-that/) [Anthony T. 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