Air Quote by Gabrielle Dubois
““I sit down by the river. Its incessant flow has polished the rocks carried from the top of the mountain. The aqueous caress, that has unrolled for millions of years the liquid ribbon from the summits towards the plains, keeps the freshness of the youth. The July sun heats the trees on the shore, while the stream of water refreshes the air; Two breaths which mingle without opposing one another. The foliage softly sways under the summer breeze, tuning its movement to that of the fiery wave. Won by a palpable peace, thank you Mother Nature, I dive into my book. A time later, which seems infinite to me, the sky becomes darker, I raise my head. How many hours have passed during which, indifferent to the human time, the cascading water has descended from the mountain? How much water has passed in front of me? How many beings have quenched their thirst there, and get their lives out from it? How long after my small passage on Earth will have been forgotten, the river will continue to flow, to carry its rocks, to erode the mountain until it becomes a plain, to spread life like a vein of the Earth ?””
About This Quote
The passage reflects on the river as a timeless, shaping force that connects human moments to geological epochs, highlighting humility and the continuity of nature.
In simple terms: Contemplation of nature’s endless flow
Human life is fleeting against nature’s persistence
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- reading by a river
- reflecting on personal legacy
- observing natural processes
- contemplating mortality
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- writing inspired by nature
- environmental education
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the river symbolize for you?
- How does recognizing nature’s scale affect your daily choices?