--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are all perfect clocks that the…" description: "\"“We are all perfect clocks that the Divinity has set to ticking when, even before birth, the heart explodes into its lifelong dance.”\" — Mark Helprin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/263/mark-helprin-1171_ticking_we-are-all-perfect-clocks-that-the-divin_2174718.png" --- # We are all perfect clocks that the Divinity has set to… ![“We are all perfect clocks that the Divinity has set to ticking when, even before birth, the heart explodes into its lifelong dance.” quote by Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/263/mark-helprin-1171_ticking_we-are-all-perfect-clocks-that-the-divin_2174718.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/263/mark-helprin-1171_ticking_we-are-all-perfect-clocks-that-the-divin_2174718.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/263/mark-helprin-1171_ticking_we-are-all-perfect-clocks-that-the-divin_2174718.png) > ““We are all perfect clocks that the Divinity has set to ticking when, even before birth, the heart explodes into its lifelong dance.”” [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human life is portrayed as a divine clock, each heart beating a unique, preordained rhythm. **In simple terms:** Life is a divine clock with a unique rhythm. Key Takeaway Embrace your innate timing. Themes destiny human nature spirituality Mood contemplative poetic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - spiritual reflection - creative writing - philosophical discourse Key Concepts metaphor divine order existentialism Questions to Reflect On - How does recognizing a divine rhythm affect your choices? - Do you feel your life follows a set tempo? A Different Perspective The metaphor may overlook agency and randomness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clocks Divinity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clocks-divinity-4671483/) [Lifelong Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lifelong-dance-4671484/) [Perfect Clocks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfect-clocks-4671486/) [Ticking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ticking/) [Ticking Birth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ticking-birth-4671485/) ## Related quotes > [You get 15 minutes of fame, I hear, and I've had 14 minutes. The clock's ticking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-howard/you-get-15-minutes-of-fame-i-hear-and-i-ve-had-14-minutes-the-clock-s/) [Tim Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-howard/) > [The clock is ticking down, it's the final round.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jls/the-clock-is-ticking-down-it-s-the-final-round/) [JLS](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jls/) > [Substantiate or suffocate, Ms. Vetra. Mickey's ticking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-brown/substantiate-or-suffocate-ms-vetra-mickey-s-ticking/) [Dan Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-brown/) > [I like time ticking the way it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-graham/i-like-time-ticking-the-way-it-is/) [Stephen Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-graham/) > [“Trust me, today not even my Timex could take a licking and keep on ticking. Give me a Tonka truck and I’ll squash it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/trust-me-today-not-even-my-timex-could-take-a-licking-and-keep-on/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [The issue I had with the Lightspeed albums was that usually the main purpose with them was to fulfil really dorky musical goals, like,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dev-hynes/the-issue-i-had-with-the-lightspeed-albums-was-that-usually-the-main/) [Dev Hynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dev-hynes/) > [It's ok to get wound up every once in awhile…that's what keeps you ticking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/it-s-ok-to-get-wound-up-every-once-in-awhile-that-s-what-keeps-you/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) > [“More than the sound of my own beating heart, I miss the sound of a ticking clock. Time passes. It must pass…”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-revis/more-than-the-sound-of-my-own-beating-heart-i-miss-the-sound-of-a/) [Beth Revis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-revis/) > [This is your life and the clock is ticking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/this-is-your-life-and-the-clock-is-ticking/) [Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/) > [I do the 'New York Times' crossword puzzle every morning to keep the old grey matter ticking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-burnett/i-do-the-new-york-times-crossword-puzzle-every-morning-to-keep-the/) [Carol Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-burnett/) > [“I'm not sure why, but when a person expects something to last forever, they don't notice the little things. It's only when the clock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-wiersbitzky/i-m-not-sure-why-but-when-a-person-expects-something-to-last-forever/) [Shannon Wiersbitzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-wiersbitzky/) > [You have to cherish things in a different way when you know the clock is ticking, you are under pressure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chadwick-boseman/you-have-to-cherish-things-in-a-different-way-when-you-know-the-clock/) [Chadwick Boseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chadwick-boseman/) > [If 1 had 1 life to live why would he wait to the last second to live it !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/militon-munney/if-1-had-1-life-to-live-why-would-he-wait-to-the-last-second-to-live/) [Militon Munney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/militon-munney/) > [I suppose it's like the ticking crocodile, isn't it? Time is chasing after all of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-suppose-it-s-like-the-ticking-crocodile-isn-t-it-time-is-chasing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You never want to have that ticking clock and know that you had all this time and didn't use it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-j-abrams/you-never-want-to-have-that-ticking-clock-and-know-that-you-had-all/) [J. J. Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-j-abrams/) ## More by Mark Helprin > [“Defiance, Catherine, is a gift of God, who is superior to nature. When nature comes to get you, honor God by treating it, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/defiance-catherine-is-a-gift-of-god-who-is-superior-to-nature-when/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [Because there were all kinds of hell - some were black and dirty, and some were silvery and high.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/because-there-were-all-kinds-of-hell-some-were-black-and-dirty-and/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [“In living, one muddles through the years for the sake of those one or two moments which are indisputably great.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/in-living-one-muddles-through-the-years-for-the-sake-of-those-one-or/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [“Do you know why you walk slowly when you’re old?” “No.” “Because with age you receive the gift of friction. The less time you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/do-you-know-why-you-walk-slowly-when-you-re-old-no-because-with-age/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [The British monarchy has the political and constitutional task of subtracting from the government and governors of Britain the papal and kingly airs that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/the-british-monarchy-has-the-political-and-constitutional-task-of/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [“Your time is a good time, and though I have to leave, you can stay. How lucky you are to be in the city…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/your-time-is-a-good-time-and-though-i-have-to-leave-you-can-stay-how/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [Truth is no rounder than a horse's eye.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/truth-is-no-rounder-than-a-horse-s-eye/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [They were dancing around the fountain, arm in arm, in an old Dutch dance, their cheeks touching, their hands entwined. They had no music;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/they-were-dancing-around-the-fountain-arm-in-arm-in-an-old-dutch/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [For what can be imagined more beautiful than the sight of a perfectly just city rejoicing in justice alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/for-what-can-be-imagined-more-beautiful-than-the-sight-of-a-perfectly/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [I follow my own nose. So I read things that are different. People will always say to me, "Have you read Robert S. Bosco's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/i-follow-my-own-nose-so-i-read-things-that-are-different-people-will/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [“If all the months and all their days could be like June weather in New York, there would be paradise on earth. Often, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/if-all-the-months-and-all-their-days-could-be-like-june-weather-in/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [“At least until there are new lakes in the clouds that open upon living cities as yet unknown, and perhaps forever, that is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/at-least-until-there-are-new-lakes-in-the-clouds-that-open-upon/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [You will most appreciate 'Freddy and Fredericka' if you are familiar with the story of the Fall, the Good Hermit, 'Tom Jones,' 'Huckleberry Finn,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/you-will-most-appreciate-freddy-and-fredericka-if-you-are-familiar/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [their powerlessness, innocence, and imagination fused to enable them to turn time inside out, travel on the wind, and enter the souls of animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/their-powerlessness-innocence-and-imagination-fused-to-enable-them-to/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > ['Freeing' a literary work into the public domain is less a public benefit than a transfer of wealth from the families of American writers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/freeing-a-literary-work-into-the-public-domain-is-less-a-public/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) [Explore all 279 Mark Helprin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) ## More Ticking quotes > [You get 15 minutes of fame, I hear, and I've had 14 minutes. The clock's ticking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-howard/you-get-15-minutes-of-fame-i-hear-and-i-ve-had-14-minutes-the-clock-s/) [Tim Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-howard/) > [I suppose it's like the ticking crocodile, isn't it? Time is chasing after all of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-suppose-it-s-like-the-ticking-crocodile-isn-t-it-time-is-chasing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If 1 had 1 life to live why would he wait to the last second to live it !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/militon-munney/if-1-had-1-life-to-live-why-would-he-wait-to-the-last-second-to-live/) [Militon Munney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/militon-munney/) > [You have to cherish things in a different way when you know the clock is ticking, you are under pressure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chadwick-boseman/you-have-to-cherish-things-in-a-different-way-when-you-know-the-clock/) [Chadwick Boseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chadwick-boseman/) > [“I'm not sure why, but when a person expects something to last forever, they don't notice the little things. It's only when the clock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-wiersbitzky/i-m-not-sure-why-but-when-a-person-expects-something-to-last-forever/) [Shannon Wiersbitzky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-wiersbitzky/) > [I do the 'New York Times' crossword puzzle every morning to keep the old grey matter ticking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-burnett/i-do-the-new-york-times-crossword-puzzle-every-morning-to-keep-the/) [Carol Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-burnett/) > [This is your life and the clock is ticking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/this-is-your-life-and-the-clock-is-ticking/) [Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/) > [“More than the sound of my own beating heart, I miss the sound of a ticking clock. Time passes. It must pass…”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-revis/more-than-the-sound-of-my-own-beating-heart-i-miss-the-sound-of-a/) [Beth Revis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-revis/) > [It's ok to get wound up every once in awhile…that's what keeps you ticking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/it-s-ok-to-get-wound-up-every-once-in-awhile-that-s-what-keeps-you/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) > [The issue I had with the Lightspeed albums was that usually the main purpose with them was to fulfil really dorky musical goals, like,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dev-hynes/the-issue-i-had-with-the-lightspeed-albums-was-that-usually-the-main/) [Dev Hynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dev-hynes/) > [“Trust me, today not even my Timex could take a licking and keep on ticking. Give me a Tonka truck and I’ll squash it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/trust-me-today-not-even-my-timex-could-take-a-licking-and-keep-on/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [I like time ticking the way it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-graham/i-like-time-ticking-the-way-it-is/) [Stephen Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-graham/) > [Substantiate or suffocate, Ms. Vetra. Mickey's ticking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-brown/substantiate-or-suffocate-ms-vetra-mickey-s-ticking/) [Dan Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-brown/) > [The clock is ticking down, it's the final round.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jls/the-clock-is-ticking-down-it-s-the-final-round/) [JLS](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jls/) > [You never want to have that ticking clock and know that you had all this time and didn't use it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-j-abrams/you-never-want-to-have-that-ticking-clock-and-know-that-you-had-all/) [J. J. Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-j-abrams/) [Browse all 74 Ticking quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ticking/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We are all perfect clocks that the Divinity has set to ticking when, even before birth, the heart explodes into its lifelong dance.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mark Helprin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/we-are-all-perfect-clocks-that-the-divinity-has-set-to-ticking-when/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ticking" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/we-are-all-perfect-clocks-that-the-divinity-has-set-to-ticking-when/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/263/mark-helprin-1171_ticking_we-are-all-perfect-clocks-that-the-divin_2174718.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/263/mark-helprin-1171_ticking_we-are-all-perfect-clocks-that-the-divin_2174718.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/263/mark-helprin-1171_ticking_we-are-all-perfect-clocks-that-the-divin_2174718.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We are all perfect clocks that the Divinity has set to ticking when, even before birth, the heart explodes…” — Mark Helprin", "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": "Mark Helprin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“We are all perfect clocks that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/we-are-all-perfect-clocks-that-the-divinity-has-set-to-ticking-when/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/we-are-all-perfect-clocks-that-the-divinity-has-set-to-ticking-when/#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 } } ] } ```