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Mortality Quote by Gene Wolfe

“Time itself is a thing, so it seems to me, that stands solidly like a fence of iron palings with its endless row of years; and we flow past like Gyoll, on our way to a sea from which we shall return only as rain.” quote by Gene Wolfe
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““Time itself is a thing, so it seems to me, that stands solidly like a fence of iron palings with its endless row of years; and we flow past like Gyoll, on our way to a sea from which we shall return only as rain.””

Gene Wolfe

About This Quote

Source Novel: “The Book of the New Sun” (1980)

Time is a solid fence; we flow past like water, returning as rain.

In simple terms: Time is a barrier; we cycle through it.

Key Takeaway

Live fully within each moment.

Themes

time mortality cycle

Mood

reflective poetic

Type

literary existential

When to use this quote

  • career planning
  • aging
  • legacy building
  • environmental cycles

Key Concepts

philosophy metaphor

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you honor the present?
  • What legacy do you wish to leave?
A Different Perspective

Time’s inevitability can cause anxiety.

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