Almonds Quote by Nikos Kazantzakis
“Look, one day I had gone to a little village. An old grandfather of ninety was busy planting an almond tree. ‘What, grandfather!’ I exclaimed. ‘Planting an almond tree?’ And he, bent as he was, turned around and said: ‘My son, I carry on as if I should never die.’ I replied: ‘And I carry on as if I was going to die any minute.’ Which of us was right, boss?”
About This Quote
Source Story: Short narrative, author, unknown source
A elderly man plants a tree, symbolizing perseverance and legacy, while the narrator reflects on mortality and purpose.
In simple terms: Old man shows lasting purpose; narrator feels urgency.
Key Takeaway
Embrace lasting purpose despite life's brevity.
Themes
legacy
perseverance
mortality
purpose
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- gardening
- family discussions
- personal reflection
- life planning
Key Concepts
existentialism
symbolism
intergenerational wisdom
Questions to Reflect On
- What legacy do you wish to leave?
- How do you balance urgency with lasting impact?
A Different Perspective
The elder’s view may romanticize endless work, ignoring personal limits.
![“I heard the bells from the future churches, the children playing and laughing in the schoolyards [...] and here was an almond tree in bloom before me: I must reach out and cut a flowering branch. For, by believing passionately in something which still does not exist, we create it. The nonexistent…” quote by Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/50f/nikos-kazantzakis-1116_almonds_i-heard-the-bells-from-the-future-church_2527567.jpg)
![“In Spain, hilly terrain and antiquated planting and harvest practices keep farmers from retrieving more than about 100 pounds [of almonds] per acre. Growers in the Central Valley, by contrast can expect up to 3000 pounds an acre. But for all their sophisticated strategies to increase yield and…” quote by Hannah Nordhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e26/hannah-nordhaus-71212_agriculture_in-spain-hilly-terrain-and-antiquated-pl_318187.jpg)
