--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For the things that are seen are…" description: "\"For the things that are seen are temporal, but things that are unseen are eternal.\" — Madeleine L'Engle" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4e/madeleine-l-engle-345_eternal_for-the-things-that-are-seen-are-tempora_448794.png" --- # For the things that are seen are temporal, but things that… ![“For the things that are seen are temporal, but things that are unseen are eternal.” quote by Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4e/madeleine-l-engle-345_eternal_for-the-things-that-are-seen-are-tempora_448794.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4e/madeleine-l-engle-345_eternal_for-the-things-that-are-seen-are-tempora_448794.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4e/madeleine-l-engle-345_eternal_for-the-things-that-are-seen-are-tempora_448794.png) > “For the things that are seen are temporal, but things that are unseen are eternal.” [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Visible, material things are temporary; invisible, spiritual truths endure forever. **In simple terms:** Seen things fade; unseen truths last. Key Takeaway Seek deeper, lasting meaning. Themes spirituality eternity philosophy Mood contemplative thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - daily life - meditation - creative inspiration Key Concepts metaphysics religion inner growth Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance material and spiritual pursuits? - What unseen truths guide you? A Different Perspective Material focus can distract from deeper values. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Eternal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal/) [Eternity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternity/) [Temporal things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temporal-things/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“The things that are seen, are temporal; the things that are unseen, are eternal." It”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-the-things-that-are-unseen-are/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Things that are seen are temporal; things that are unseen are eternal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-things-that-are-unseen-are-eternal/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [It gives me a deep comforting sense that Things seen are temporal and things unseen are eternal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/it-gives-me-a-deep-comforting-sense-that-things-seen-are-temporal-and/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [“We look not at the things which are what you would call seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/we-look-not-at-the-things-which-are-what-you-would-call-seen-but-at/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [“For the things which are seen are temporal. But the things which are not seen are eternal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/for-the-things-which-are-seen-are-temporal-but-the-things-which-are/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [The first and last lesson of religion is, 'The things that are seen are temporal; the things that are not seen are eternal.' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-first-and-last-lesson-of-religion-is-the-things-that-are-seen-are/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The first and last lesson of religion is, "The things that are seen, are temporal; the things that are unseen, are eternal." It puts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-first-and-last-lesson-of-religion-is-the-things-that-are-seen-are-2/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/so-we-fix-our-eyes-not-on-what-is-seen-but-on-what-is-unseen-for-what/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeri-smith-ready/for-what-is-seen-is-temporary-but-what-is-unseen-is-eternal/) [Jeri Smith-Ready](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeri-smith-ready/) > [“Faith is the substance of things unseen. (Rom. 10:17). By faith, we hold as true those things that can in no way be visualized.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-duden/faith-is-the-substance-of-things-unseen-rom-10-17-by-faith-we-hold-as/) Barbara Duden > [Some of the greater things are unseen. That's why you close your eyes when you kiss, cry, or dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-baker/some-of-the-greater-things-are-unseen-that-s-why-you-close-your-eyes/) [Kathy Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-baker/) > [Some things are unseen when some things are right in front of you. You just have to reach out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author-name/some-things-are-unseen-when-some-things-are-right-in-front-of-you-you/) Author Name > [“And she was richer in those dreams than in realities; for things seen pass away, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-she-was-richer-in-those-dreams-than-in-realities-for-things-seen/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When the heart and mind focus on things unseen - that's when there's a visible change in us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/when-the-heart-and-mind-focus-on-things-unseen-that-s-when-there-s-a/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [“For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” -2 Corinthians, 2: 18”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-trimnell/for-what-is-seen-is-temporary-but-what-is-unseen-is-eternal-2/) [Edward Trimnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-trimnell/) ## More by Madeleine L'Engle > [“One of the hardest lessons I have to learn is how not to be judgmental about people who are judgmental. When I see how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/one-of-the-hardest-lessons-i-have-to-learn-is-how-not-to-be/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [Inspiration more often comes during the work than before it, because the largest part of the job of an artist is to listen to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/inspiration-more-often-comes-during-the-work-than-before-it-because/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/you-have-to-write-the-book-that-wants-to-be-written-and-if-the-book/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [Severe illness isolates those in close contact with it, because it inevitably narrows the focus of concern. To a certain extent this can lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/severe-illness-isolates-those-in-close-contact-with-it-because-it/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [Goodness has never been a guarantee of safety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/goodness-has-never-been-a-guarantee-of-safety/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [“Faith is what makes life bearable, with all its tragedies and ambiguities and sudden, startling joys.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/faith-is-what-makes-life-bearable-with-all-its-tragedies-and/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [“Instead of rejoicing in this glorious “impossible” which gives meaning and dignity to our lives, we try to domesticate God, to make his mighty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/instead-of-rejoicing-in-this-glorious-impossible-which-gives-meaning/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [I have never lived before...Until this summer, I did not know what it was to be alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/i-have-never-lived-before-until-this-summer-i-did-not-know-what-it/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [On the other side of pain, there is still love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/on-the-other-side-of-pain-there-is-still-love/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [“To love is to be vulnerable; and it is only in vulnerability and risk—not safety and security—that we overcome darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/to-love-is-to-be-vulnerable-and-it-is-only-in-vulnerability-and-risk/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [“IT was the most horrible, the most repellent thing she had ever seen, far more nauseating then anything she had ever imagined with her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/it-was-the-most-horrible-the-most-repellent-thing-she-had-ever-seen/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [I feel as though I'm not breathing when I'm out of his presence. He's the oxygen in my air, the sun in my universe,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/i-feel-as-though-i-m-not-breathing-when-i-m-out-of-his-presence-he-s/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [Rather than feeling lost and unimportant and meaningless, set against galaxies which go beyond the reach of the furthest telescopes, I feel that my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/rather-than-feeling-lost-and-unimportant-and-meaningless-set-against/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [My husband is my most ruthless critic... sometimes he will say, 'It's been said better before.' Of course it has. It's all been said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/my-husband-is-my-most-ruthless-critic-sometimes-he-will-say-it-s-been/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [If we aren't capable of being hurt we aren't capable of feeling joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/if-we-aren-t-capable-of-being-hurt-we-aren-t-capable-of-feeling-joy/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) [Explore all 660 Madeleine L'Engle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) ## More Eternal quotes > [Many individuals spend a considerable portion of their lifetimes in terror of one imagined catastrophe or another. The classic is that your immortal soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-neil-smith/many-individuals-spend-a-considerable-portion-of-their-lifetimes-in/) [L. Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [“Please not yet. Those are the three eternal words. Please not yet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-macdonald/please-not-yet-those-are-the-three-eternal-words-please-not-yet/) [John D. MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-macdonald/) > [I remain an eternal optimist about love. I believe in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lopez/i-remain-an-eternal-optimist-about-love-i-believe-in-love/) [Jennifer Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lopez/) > [The writings of latter-day prophets clearly teach that the sorrows and sufferings endured by Adam and Eve upon their leaving the Garden of Eden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-k-judd/the-writings-of-latter-day-prophets-clearly-teach-that-the-sorrows/) Daniel K Judd > [There are two kinds of beauty; there is a beauty which God gives at birth, and which withers as a flower. And there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/there-are-two-kinds-of-beauty-there-is-a-beauty-which-god-gives-at/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [The time has come for us to understand that the Eternal Feminine is the greatest power in this Universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samael-aun-weor/the-time-has-come-for-us-to-understand-that-the-eternal-feminine-is/) [Samael Aun Weor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samael-aun-weor/) > [May God bless each of us in our calls to serve. 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/) > [We are eternal. All this pain is an illusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-james-keenan/we-are-eternal-all-this-pain-is-an-illusion/) [Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/) > [In some respects I will never die. Because art is immortal. What we leave behind and what we create - the energy that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/in-some-respects-i-will-never-die-because-art-is-immortal-what-we/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [The only way to have eternal love is to never let your heart forget what it’s like to live without it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/the-only-way-to-have-eternal-love-is-to-never-let-your-heart-forget/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [My God, whose son, as on this night, took on Him the form of man, and for man vouchsafed to suffer and bleed, controls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/my-god-whose-son-as-on-this-night-took-on-him-the-form-of-man-and-for/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [In the course of our eternal existence, we spend infinitely more time in the spirit world on the other side than we spend in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-browne/in-the-course-of-our-eternal-existence-we-spend-infinitely-more-time/) [Sylvia Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-browne/) > [The propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-propitious-smiles-of-heaven-can-never-be-expected-on-a-nation/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [If our faith in God is not the veriest sham, it demands, and will produce, the abandonment sometimes, the subordination always, of external helps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/if-our-faith-in-god-is-not-the-veriest-sham-it-demands-and-will/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) [Browse all 3,280 Eternal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "For the things that are seen are temporal, but things that are unseen are eternal.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Madeleine L'Engle" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/for-the-things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-but-things-that-are-unseen/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Eternal" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/for-the-things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-but-things-that-are-unseen/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4e/madeleine-l-engle-345_eternal_for-the-things-that-are-seen-are-tempora_448794.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4e/madeleine-l-engle-345_eternal_for-the-things-that-are-seen-are-tempora_448794.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4e/madeleine-l-engle-345_eternal_for-the-things-that-are-seen-are-tempora_448794.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“For the things that are seen are temporal, but things that are unseen are eternal.” — Madeleine L'Engle", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Madeleine L'Engle", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "For the things that are seen...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/for-the-things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-but-things-that-are-unseen/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/for-the-things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-but-things-that-are-unseen/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```