Skip to content

Dark water Quote by Jerome K. Jerome

“Yet there is no gainsaying but that it must have been somewhat sweeter in that dewy morning of creation, when it was young and fresh, when the feet of the tramping millions had not trodden its grass to dust, nor the din of the myriad cities chased the silence forever away. Life must have been…” quote by Jerome K. Jerome
Download Open image
““Yet there is no gainsaying but that it must have been somewhat sweeter in that dewy morning of creation, when it was young and fresh, when the feet of the tramping millions had not trodden its grass to dust, nor the din of the myriad cities chased the silence forever away. Life must have been noble and solemn to those free-footed, loose-robed fathers of the human race, walking hand in hand with God under the great sky. They lived in sunkissed tents amid the lowing herds. They took their simple wants from the loving hand of Nature. They toiled and talked and thought; and the great earth rolled around in stillness, not yet laden with trouble and wrong. Those days are past now. The quiet childhood of Humanity, spent in the far-off forest glades and by the murmuring rivers, is gone forever; and human life is deepening down to manhood amid tumult, doubt, and hope. Its age of restful peace is past. It has its work to finish and must hasten on. What that work may be—what this world's share is in the great design—we know not, though our unconscious hands are helping to accomplish it. Like the tiny coral insect working deep under the dark waters, we strive and struggle each for our own little ends, nor dream of the vast fabric we are building up for God.””

Jerome K. Jerome

About This Quote

Source Essay: Reflections on Humanity, Jerome K. Jerome, 1902

The passage laments the loss of humanity’s original simplicity and harmony with nature, contrasting past innocence with modern complexity and the unknown purpose of our collective effort.

In simple terms: Humanity once lived simply with nature; now we face complexity and unknown purpose.

Key Takeaway

Recognize past simplicity, act responsibly in today’s complexity.

Themes

nature nostalgia purpose humanity

Mood

melancholic thoughtful

Type

reflective philosophical

When to use this quote

  • environmental conservation
  • cultural heritage projects
  • personal meditation
  • community building
  • ethical decision making

Key Concepts

Ecology philosophy existentialism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What lessons can we draw from past simplicity?
  • How can we balance nostalgia with modern responsibility?
A Different Perspective

Idealizing the past can ignore present challenges and progress.

3.0 out of 5 (10 ratings)

More by Jerome K. Jerome

Explore all 267 Jerome K. Jerome quotes

More Dark water quotes

Browse all 92 Dark water quotes