--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Thus the sum of things is ever being…" description: "\"Thus the sum of things is ever being reviewed, and mortals dependent one upon another. Some nations increase, others diminish, and in a short space the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/lucretius-1632_death_thus-the-sum-of-things-is-ever-being-rev_1999057.png" --- # Thus the sum of things is ever being reviewed, and mortals… ![“Thus the sum of things is ever being reviewed, and mortals dependent one upon another. Some nations increase, others diminish, and in a short space the generations of living creatures are changed and like runners pass on the torch of life.” quote by Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/lucretius-1632_death_thus-the-sum-of-things-is-ever-being-rev_1999057.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/lucretius-1632_death_thus-the-sum-of-things-is-ever-being-rev_1999057.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea0/lucretius-1632_death_thus-the-sum-of-things-is-ever-being-rev_1999057.png) > “Thus the sum of things is ever being reviewed, and mortals dependent one upon another. Some nations increase, others diminish, and in a short space the generations of living creatures are changed and like runners pass on the torch of life.” [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. All things are constantly changing; beings rely on each other, and generations pass like a torch. **In simple terms:** Life is ever‑changing and interconnected. Key Takeaway Embrace change and interdependence. Themes change interdependence impermanence generational continuity Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - personal growth - environmental stewardship - historical analysis - family legacy Key Concepts philosophy natural law cosmology Questions to Reflect On - What torch do you carry forward? - How does interdependence shape your choices? A Different Perspective May overlook individual agency in larger cycles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Creatures Changed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creatures-changed-1171455/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Generations Living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations-living-3506713/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mortals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortals/) [Mortals Dependent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortals-dependent-3506711/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Reviewed Mortals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reviewed-mortals-3506712/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) ## Related quotes > [Some species increase, others diminish, and in a short space the generations of living creatures are changed and, like runners, pass on the torch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/some-species-increase-others-diminish-and-in-a-short-space-the/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [The generations of living things pass in a short time, and like runners hand on the torch of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/the-generations-of-living-things-pass-in-a-short-time-and-like/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [One day I caught four Dolphins, how much I have gazed at these beautiful creatures... as they changed their hue in twenty varieties of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-james-audubon/one-day-i-caught-four-dolphins-how-much-i-have-gazed-at-these/) [John James Audubon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-james-audubon/) > [Older generations are living proof that younger generations can survive their lunacy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cullen-hightower/older-generations-are-living-proof-that-younger-generations-can/) [Cullen Hightower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cullen-hightower/) > [It's not so weird that four generations are living together under the same roof and trying to make it work. 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May our faith strengthen as we serve in righteousness, faithfully keeping the commandments.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-tom-perry/may-god-bless-each-of-us-in-our-calls-to-serve-may-our-faith/) [L. Tom Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-tom-perry/) > [Mortals are such fragile things. 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Fragment to fragment clings - the things thus grow Until we know them and name them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/no-single-thing-abides-but-all-things-flow-fragment-to-fragment/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [What came from the earth returns back to the earth, and the spirit that was sent from heaven, again carried back, is received into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/what-came-from-the-earth-returns-back-to-the-earth-and-the-spirit/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [For thee the wonder-working earth puts forth sweet flowers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/for-thee-the-wonder-working-earth-puts-forth-sweet-flowers/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [No matter how difficult a task may look.. Persistence and steady action will get you through](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/no-matter-how-difficult-a-task-may-look-persistence-and-steady-action/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) [Explore all 221 Lucretius quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) ## More Death quotes > [“He wondered how it was fair that your dying should depend so much on when you were born.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/he-wondered-how-it-was-fair-that-your-dying-should-depend-so-much-on/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. 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Then his eyes turned to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-anthony-torino/what-did-you-see-she-asked-gently-his-brow-furrowed-as-if-he-could/) [J. Anthony Torino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-anthony-torino/) > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“I practice Dying--every night-- But have not learned to, still-- Though Talented--by Mortal bones-- For such a common Skill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-powers/i-practice-dying-every-night-but-have-not-learned-to-still-though/) [Alan W. Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-w-powers/) > [“You must understand the pain and grief of losing someone is nothing more than a function of survival.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-cooper/you-must-understand-the-pain-and-grief-of-losing-someone-is-nothing/) [Steven Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-cooper/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [“Death is a reality that calls the rest of life and all of our assorted strivings into sharp relief.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/death-is-a-reality-that-calls-the-rest-of-life-and-all-of-our/) [Craig D. 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