Age Quote by Ezra Pound
““My pawing over the ancients and semi-ancients has been one struggle to find out what has been done, once and for all, better than it can ever be done again, and to find out what remains for us to do, and plenty does remain, for if we still feel the same emotions as those who launched a thousand ships, it is quite certain that we came on these feelings differently, through different nuances, by different intellectual gradations. Each age has its own abounding gifts yet only some ages transmute them into matters of duration.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Cantos, 1915–1962
He reflects on humanity’s endless quest to improve upon past achievements, recognizing each era’s unique contributions and limits.
In simple terms: Each age builds on past gifts but cannot fully repeat them.
Key Takeaway
Respect each era’s gifts while seeking progress.
Themes
history
progress
human ambition
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- philosophical writing
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
Cultural evolution
intellectual growth
Questions to Reflect On
- What can we learn from past eras?
- How do we honor past gifts while innovating?
A Different Perspective
We may never fully surpass past achievements.
