Affair Quote by John Masefield
“Man cannot call the brimming instant back; Time's an affair of instants spun to days; If man must make an instant gold, or black, Let him, he may; but Time must go his ways. Life may be duller for an instant's blaze. Life's an affair of instants spun to years, Instants are only cause of all these tears.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Old Men at the Fire” (source unknown)
Time moves forward regardless of human desire; moments cannot be reclaimed, and each instant shapes life’s overall texture.
In simple terms: Time cannot be reversed; each moment matters.
Key Takeaway
Accept the flow, make each instant count.
Themes
time
impermanence
choices
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- life planning
Key Concepts
causality
temporal flow
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you honor fleeting moments?
- Can you find value in brief experiences?
A Different Perspective
Time’s inevitability may limit control over outcomes.
