--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A short time ago\"—the Star's \"short time…" description: "\"“A short time ago\"—the Star's \"short time ago\" is called among men \"centuries ago\"—\"my rays followed a young artist. It was in the city of the Popes, i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54e/hans-christian-andersen-3234_art_a-short-time-ago-the-star-s-short-time-a_445542.jpg" --- # A short time ago"—the Star's "short time ago" is called… ![“A short time ago"—the Star's "short time ago" is called among men "centuries ago"—"my rays followed a young artist. It was in the city of the Popes, in” quote by Hans Christian Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54e/hans-christian-andersen-3234_art_a-short-time-ago-the-star-s-short-time-a_445542.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54e/hans-christian-andersen-3234_art_a-short-time-ago-the-star-s-short-time-a_445542.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54e/hans-christian-andersen-3234_art_a-short-time-ago-the-star-s-short-time-a_445542.jpg) > ““A short time ago"—the Star's "short time ago" is called among men "centuries ago"—"my rays followed a young artist. It was in the city of the Popes, in”” [Hans Christian Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-christian-andersen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator reflects on time’s relativity, comparing a brief moment to centuries for a young artist. **In simple terms:** Time feels different for creators. Key Takeaway Recognize varied perceptions of time. Themes time art perception Mood contemplative poetic Type literary When to use this quote - writing - painting - performance art Key Concepts philosophy of time creative process Questions to Reflect On - How does time perception influence artistic work? - Can we reconcile subjective and objective time? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ago Called](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ago-called-3898582/) [Ago Rays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ago-rays-3898581/) [Ago Star](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ago-star-3580211/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Centuries Ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centuries-ago/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time Ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-ago/) ## Related quotes > [Stars are beautiful, but they must not take an active part in anything, they must just look on forever. 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We have read of only one perfect Model, and He was crucified many centuries ago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-henry-fowler/remember-there-are-only-a-few-model-preachers-we-have-read-of-only/) [Charles Henry Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-henry-fowler/) ## More by Hans Christian Andersen > [“I never dreamed of such happiness as this, while I was an ugly duckling.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-christian-andersen/i-never-dreamed-of-such-happiness-as-this-while-i-was-an-ugly-duckling/) [Hans Christian Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-christian-andersen/) > [“It was the last night that she would breathe the same air as he, or look out over the deep sea and up into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-christian-andersen/it-was-the-last-night-that-she-would-breathe-the-same-air-as-he-or/) [Hans Christian Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-christian-andersen/) > [“Roses bloom and cease to be, but we shall the Christ-child see”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-christian-andersen/roses-bloom-and-cease-to-be-but-we-shall-the-christ-child-see/) [Hans Christian Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-christian-andersen/) > [“I can give her no greater power than she has already, said the woman; don't you see how strong that is? 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It is very stupid of you, but you shall have your way, and it will bring you to sorrow,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-christian-andersen/i-know-what-you-want-it-is-very-stupid-of-you-but-you-shall-have-your/) [Hans Christian Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-christian-andersen/) > [“No one would allow that he could not see these much-admired clothes; because, in doing so, he would have declared himself either a simpleton…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-christian-andersen/no-one-would-allow-that-he-could-not-see-these-much-admired-clothes/) [Hans Christian Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-christian-andersen/) > [“as the centre of a thick wood. In this snug retreat sat a duck on her nest, watching for her young brood to hatch;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-christian-andersen/as-the-centre-of-a-thick-wood-in-this-snug-retreat-sat-a-duck-on-her/) [Hans Christian Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-christian-andersen/) > [The naive was only a part of my fairy tales; humor was the real salt in them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-christian-andersen/the-naive-was-only-a-part-of-my-fairy-tales-humor-was-the-real-salt/) [Hans Christian Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-christian-andersen/) > [Every step you take will feel as if you were treading upon knife blades so sharp that blood must flow. 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