Ephemeral Quote by Joseph Conrad
““And we all nodded at him: the man of finance, the man of accounts, the man of law, we all nodded at him over the polished table that like a still sheet of brown water reflected our faces, lined, wrinkled; our faces marked by toil, by deceptions, by success, by love; our weary eyes looking still, looking always, looking anxiously for something out of life, that while it is expected is already gone – has passed unseen, in a sigh, in a flash – together with the youth, with the strength, with the romance of illusions.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad, 1907
The passage reflects on the emptiness of material success and the yearning for meaning amidst life's fleeting moments.
In simple terms: Success feels hollow without purpose.
Key Takeaway
Seek deeper purpose beyond material gain.
Themes
existence
illusion
materialism
time
humanity
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- career burnout
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- philosophical discussion
Key Concepts
nihilism
existentialism
disillusionment
Questions to Reflect On
- What gives your life meaning beyond achievements?
- How can we find fulfillment in everyday moments?
A Different Perspective
It may romanticize suffering without offering constructive solutions.
