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Goodbye Quote by Pablo Neruda

“Goodbye, goodbye, to one place or another, to every mouth, to every sorrow, to the insolent moon, to weeks which wound in the days and disappeared, goodbye to this voice and that one stained with amaranth, and goodbye to the usual bed and plate, to the twilit setting of all goddbyes, to the chair…” quote by Pablo Neruda
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““Goodbye, goodbye, to one place or another, to every mouth, to every sorrow, to the insolent moon, to weeks which wound in the days and disappeared, goodbye to this voice and that one stained with amaranth, and goodbye to the usual bed and plate, to the twilit setting of all goddbyes, to the chair that is part of the same twilight, to the way made by my shoes. I spread myself, no question; I turned over whole lives, changed skin, lamps, and hates, it was something I had to do, not by law or whim, more of a chain reaction; each new journey enchained me; I took pleasure in places, in all places. And, newly arrived, I promptly said goodbye with still newborn tenderness as if the bread were to open and suddenly flee from the world of the table. So I left behind all languages, repeated goodbyes like an old door, changed cinemas, reasons, and tombs, left everywhere for somewhere else; I went on being, and being always half undone with joy, a bridegroom among sadnesses, never knowing how or when, ready to return, never returning. It’s well known that he who returns never left, so I traced and retraced my life, changing clothes and planets, growing used to the company, to the great whirl of exile, to the great solitude of bells tolling." -"Goodbyes””

Pablo Neruda

About This Quote

Source Poem: “Goodbyes” by Pablo Neruda, 1930s

The speaker reflects on perpetual farewells, embracing change and exile as a continuous, bittersweet journey of self‑transformation.

In simple terms: Constant goodbyes shape a restless, evolving self.

Key Takeaway

Embrace change, let go, keep moving.

Themes

change exile identity transformation farewell

Mood

melancholic reflective hopeful

Type

poetic philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • travel
  • personal reinvention
  • creative work
  • relationships
  • spiritual practice

Key Concepts

existentialism impermanence self‑renewal

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does each goodbye reveal about you?
  • How can you honor what you leave behind?
A Different Perspective

Goodbyes can also sever essential ties, causing loss and loneliness.

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