Ancient Quote by Lawrence Durrell
“The steward, according to custom, had stopped all the clocks. This, in the language of Narouz, said, "Your stay with us is so brief, let us not be reminded of the flight of the hours. God made eternity. Let us escape from the despotism of time altogether." These ancient and hereditary politenesses filled Nessim with emotion.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Alexandria Quartet, 1962
The passage reflects on the fleeting nature of time, urging a desire to escape its constraints and seek timelessness.
In simple terms: Time is brief; seek freedom from its limits.
Key Takeaway
Embrace moments beyond conventional time.
Themes
time
philosophy
existentialism
freedom
Mood
contemplative
poetic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- travel
- creative writing
- spiritual contemplation
- daily mindfulness
Key Concepts
Temporal perception
eternity
human experience
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance living in the present with future plans?
- What does “eternity” mean to you personally?
A Different Perspective
Escaping time may lead to neglect of responsibilities and reality.
