Lament Quote by Hermann Hesse
““Lament No permanence is ours; we are a wave That flows to fit whatever form it finds: Through day or night, cathedral or the cave We pass forever, craving form that binds. Mold after mold we fill and never rest, We find no home where joy or grief runs deep. We move, we are the everlasting guest. No field nor plow is ours; we do not reap. What God would make of us remains unknown: He plays; we are the clay to his desire. Plastic and mute, we neither laugh nor groan; He kneads, but never gives us to the fire. To stiffen to stone, to persevere! We long forever for the right to stay. But all that ever stays with us is fear, And we shall never rest upon our way.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Unknown, attributed to Hermann Hesse, 20th century
The poem reflects on humanity's transient, shape‑shifting nature, yearning for permanence yet bound to impermanence and fear.
In simple terms: Humans are ever‑changing, seeking stability but never finding lasting rest.
Key Takeaway
Embrace change, find meaning beyond fear of permanence.
Themes
impermanence
identity
existence
spirituality
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- creative work
- spiritual practice
- coping with loss
Key Concepts
existentialism
metaphor
fluidity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you find stability amid constant change?
- What does “everlasting guest” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor of clay may oversimplify complex human agency.
