Blink of an eye Quote by Philip Pullman
““You are so young, Lyra, too young to understand this, but I shall tell you anyway and you'll understand it later: men pass in front of our eyes like butterflies, creatures of a brief season. We love them; they are brave, proud, beautiful, clever; and they die almost at once. They die so soon that our hearts are continually racked with pain. We bear their children, who are witches if they are female, human if not; and then in the blink of an eye they are gone, felled, slain, lost. Our sons, too. When a little boy is growing, he thinks he is immortal. His mother knows he isn't. Each time becomes more painful, until finally your heart is broken. Perhaps that is when Yambe-Akka comes for you. She is older than the tundra. Perhaps, for her, witches' lives are as brief as men's are to us.””
About This Quote
Source Book: His Dark Materials, The Subtle Knife, Philip Pullman, 1997
Life is fleeting; love and loss are inevitable, and we must accept mortality and the briefness of existence.
In simple terms: Life is short and love brings pain.
Key Takeaway
Embrace impermanence and cherish moments.
Themes
mortality
love
loss
impermanence
Mood
sad
reflective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- grieving a parent
- watching children grow
- reflecting on aging
- accepting loss
- supporting bereaved friends
Key Concepts
existentialism
human condition
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you find meaning after loss?
- What practices help you honor impermanence?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook the resilience and growth that can arise from loss.
