--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: May this house stand until an ant drinks…" description: "\"May this house stand until an ant drinks the ocean and a tortoise circles the world.\" — Jonathan Carroll" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e2/jonathan-carroll-4590_circles_may-this-house-stand-until-an-ant-drinks_1123252.png" --- # May this house stand until an ant drinks the ocean and a… ![“May this house stand until an ant drinks the ocean and a tortoise circles the world.” quote by Jonathan Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e2/jonathan-carroll-4590_circles_may-this-house-stand-until-an-ant-drinks_1123252.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e2/jonathan-carroll-4590_circles_may-this-house-stand-until-an-ant-drinks_1123252.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e2/jonathan-carroll-4590_circles_may-this-house-stand-until-an-ant-drinks_1123252.png) > “May this house stand until an ant drinks the ocean and a tortoise circles the world.” [Jonathan Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-carroll/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A wish for enduring stability, juxtaposing impossible longevity with fantastical imagery. **In simple terms:** Hope for lasting peace despite absurd odds. Key Takeaway Cherish stability while embracing change. Themes stability longevity fantasy hope Mood reflective optimistic Type literary poetic When to use this quote - family home - long‑term projects - environmental stewardship - personal legacy Key Concepts philosophy poetic hyperbole existential reflection Questions to Reflect On - What does lasting peace mean to you? - How do you balance hope with realism? A Different Perspective Even the most steadfast structures eventually face change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ant Drinks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ant-drinks-3050198/) [Circles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circles/) [Drinks Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drinks-ocean-3050201/) [House](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/house/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ocean/) [Ocean Tortoise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ocean-tortoise-3050199/) [Stand Ant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stand-ant-3050197/) [Tortoise Circles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tortoise-circles-3050200/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“When you feel big and powerful, stand before a mountain; when you feel small and weak, stand before an ant.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinita-kinra/when-you-feel-big-and-powerful-stand-before-a-mountain-when-you-feel/) [Vinita Kinra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinita-kinra/) > [You know Kim Jong Un, the evil dictator of North Korea? 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Everything is either promised, borrowed, longed for or exaggerated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-carroll/kids-own-nothing-everything-is-either-promised-borrowed-longed-for-or/) [Jonathan Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-carroll/) > [Real love is always chaotic. You lose control; you lose perspective. You lose the ability to protect yourself. The greater the love, the greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-carroll/real-love-is-always-chaotic-you-lose-control-you-lose-perspective-you/) [Jonathan Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-carroll/) > [Everyone coming out of a perfume store is smelling the back of their hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-carroll/everyone-coming-out-of-a-perfume-store-is-smelling-the-back-of-their/) [Jonathan Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-carroll/) > [Buying a pair of shoes is one of the most optimistic acts I know, next to falling in love. 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