Breaths Quote by John Masefield
“Man with his burning soul Has but an hour of breath To build a ship of Truth In which his soul may sail- Sail on the sea of death. For death takes toll Of beauty, courage, youth, Of all but Truth.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Ship of Truth", 1915
A burning soul must confront mortality, building truth as a vessel to navigate death, which claims beauty and youth but not truth.
In simple terms: Truth endures beyond death; pursue it despite life's brevity.
Key Takeaway
Seek truth relentlessly, even as life wanes.
Themes
mortality
truth
courage
spiritual journey
impermanence
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- philosophical discourse
- life coaching
Key Concepts
Existentialism
heroic quest
poetic metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “building a ship of truth” mean for you?
- How do you face mortality while pursuing truth?
A Different Perspective
Truth may be abstract, making practical application hard.
