Beauty Quote by Marilynne Robinson
““I know this is all mere apparition compared to what awaits us, but it is only lovelier for that. There is a human beauty in it. And I can’t believe that, when we have all been changed and put on incorruptibility, we will forget our fantastic condition of mortality and impermanence, the great bright dream of procreating and perishing that meant the whole world to us. In eternity this world will be Troy, I believe, and all that has passed here will be the epic of the universe, the ballad they sing in the streets.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, 2004
The quote reflects on humanity’s fleeting nature, finding beauty in mortality and the stories that outlive us.
In simple terms: Life’s transience is beautiful and meaningful.
Key Takeaway
Embrace impermanence and cherish stories.
Themes
mortality
beauty
storytelling
impermanence
legacy
Mood
reflective
poetic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- literary analysis
- philosophical discourse
Key Concepts
existentialism
humanism
epic narrative
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing mortality change your values?
- What stories give your life meaning?
A Different Perspective
The focus on beauty may overlook suffering inherent in mortality.
![“The world of imagination is the world of eternity. It is the divine bosom into which we shall all go after the death of the vegetated [i.e. mortal] body. This world of imagination is infinite and eternal, whereas the world of generation is finite and temporal. There exist in that eternal world the…” quote by William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7bd/william-blake-397_body_the-world-of-imagination-is-the-world-of_2279822.jpg)
