--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Funny thing, watching gods realize…" description: "\"“Funny thing, watching gods realize they’ve been mortal all along.”\" — Pierce Brown" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cba/pierce-brown-1011_gods_funny-thing-watching-gods-realize-they-v_2722898.jpg" --- # Funny thing, watching gods realize they’ve been mortal all… ![“Funny thing, watching gods realize they’ve been mortal all along.” quote by Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cba/pierce-brown-1011_gods_funny-thing-watching-gods-realize-they-v_2722898.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cba/pierce-brown-1011_gods_funny-thing-watching-gods-realize-they-v_2722898.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cba/pierce-brown-1011_gods_funny-thing-watching-gods-realize-they-v_2722898.jpg) > ““Funny thing, watching gods realize they’ve been mortal all along.”” [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Observing gods realize their mortality highlights the humbling truth that even the powerful are finite. **In simple terms:** Even the mighty are mortal. Key Takeaway Remember humility. Themes mortality humility power Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - leadership training - philosophical discourse - creative writing - personal growth Key Concepts existential reflection leadership humility Questions to Reflect On - How does recognizing mortality affect ambition? - What lessons can leaders learn from this? A Different Perspective May be metaphorical. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods/) [Gods Realize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods-realize-2896164/) [Mortal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortal/) [Ve Mortal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ve-mortal-2896165/) [Watching Gods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watching-gods-2896163/) ## Related quotes > [Then I could not help wondering what the watching gods thought of us, with our clever masks and our jokes. What we think of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-wolfe/then-i-could-not-help-wondering-what-the-watching-gods-thought-of-us/) [Gene Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-wolfe/) > [“Once upon a time, a mere mortal fell in love with a rock god. You probably know this is not a fairy tale by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-j-shen/once-upon-a-time-a-mere-mortal-fell-in-love-with-a-rock-god-you/) [L.J. Shen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-j-shen/) > [Were not the gods forms created like me and you, mortal, transient?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/were-not-the-gods-forms-created-like-me-and-you-mortal-transient/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [The battle of being mortal is the battle to maintain the integrity of one’s life,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atul-gawande/the-battle-of-being-mortal-is-the-battle-to-maintain-the-integrity-of/) [Atul Gawande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atul-gawande/) > [In my own work, I don't have favorite characters, but I have characters that I relate to the most. And I relate the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/in-my-own-work-i-don-t-have-favorite-characters-but-i-have-characters/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Darkness is only in the mortal eye, that thinks it sees, but sees not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/darkness-is-only-in-the-mortal-eye-that-thinks-it-sees-but-sees-not/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [By the time I'm old, I'm sure I'll have lived a full enough life. I think we're mortal for a reason. Life gets tiring,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-furlong/by-the-time-i-m-old-i-m-sure-i-ll-have-lived-a-full-enough-life-i/) [Edward Furlong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-furlong/) > [If I'm taking a picture of Brancusi's grave, I know that there's something of him, of his mortal remains, beneath my feet, and there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/if-i-m-taking-a-picture-of-brancusi-s-grave-i-know-that-there-s/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [“human beings can’t be legends, being mortal,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-smith/human-beings-can-t-be-legends-being-mortal/) [Ali Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-smith/) > [“It was more than any mortal man could resist, so he let go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kit-rocha/it-was-more-than-any-mortal-man-could-resist-so-he-let-go/) [Kit Rocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kit-rocha/) > [“The evilness is a good choice if we're only mortal humans, or maybe it'll be...?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-salazar/the-evilness-is-a-good-choice-if-we-re-only-mortal-humans-or-maybe-it/) [Josh Salazar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-salazar/) > [A wicked mortal is not the idea of God. He is little else than the expression of error. To suppose that sin, lust, hatred,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-baker-eddy/a-wicked-mortal-is-not-the-idea-of-god-he-is-little-else-than-the/) [Mary Baker Eddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-baker-eddy/) > [We civilizations now know ourselves mortal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-valery/we-civilizations-now-know-ourselves-mortal/) [Paul Valery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-valery/) > [To love is to be vulnerable: if God loves, then God is mortal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-cupitt/to-love-is-to-be-vulnerable-if-god-loves-then-god-is-mortal/) [Don Cupitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-cupitt/) > [“I practice Dying--every night-- But have not learned to, still-- Though Talented--by Mortal bones-- For such a common Skill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-powers/i-practice-dying-every-night-but-have-not-learned-to-still-though/) [Alan W. Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-w-powers/) ## More by Pierce Brown > [“Where did you hear that song?" I ask her without sitting up. "From the HC," she says, blushing. "A little girl sang it. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/where-did-you-hear-that-song-i-ask-her-without-sitting-up-from-the-hc/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“Men call him father, liberator, warlord, Slave King, Reaper. But he feels a boy as he falls toward the war-torn planet, his armor red,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/men-call-him-father-liberator-warlord-slave-king-reaper-but-he-feels/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“Even the cruel feel pain. And even the cruel can change. I hope this changes him. He could do so much, if only he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/even-the-cruel-feel-pain-and-even-the-cruel-can-change-i-hope-this/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“The floor is made of condensed air, so we are suspended above a mile vertical drop.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/the-floor-is-made-of-condensed-air-so-we-are-suspended-above-a-mile/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“She said she would protect us…” I whisper. “Who?” “The Sovereign…” He’s silent for a long moment. “I know it may be impossible to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/she-said-she-would-protect-us-i-whisper-who-the-sovereign-he-s-silent/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“can nearly smell the pencil-shaving scent of him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/can-nearly-smell-the-pencil-shaving-scent-of-him/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“Sometimes, little one, it’s best if the worlds think you a little mad.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/sometimes-little-one-it-s-best-if-the-worlds-think-you-a-little-mad/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“Snorting, Sevro drops back to where the legendary Obsidian, Sefi Volarus, stands in her customary silence. He feigns an air of domesticity, but next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/snorting-sevro-drops-back-to-where-the-legendary-obsidian-sefi/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“And now that her dream has spread, he wonders if she would recognize it. And he wonders too if he were to die today,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/and-now-that-her-dream-has-spread-he-wonders-if-she-would-recognize/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“ 'And now I Carve the things I saw in my fever dreams, just as they always wished. I dreamed of you, I think.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/and-now-i-carve-the-things-i-saw-in-my-fever-dreams-just-as-they/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“All wounds heal. Even these." "That's a lie." I tell him. I'll never be healed of Eo. That pain will last forever. "Some things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/all-wounds-heal-even-these-that-s-a-lie-i-tell-him-i-ll-never-be/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“I'm a sheep wearing wolves' clothing in a pack of wolves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/i-m-a-sheep-wearing-wolves-clothing-in-a-pack-of-wolves/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“Sevro…are you going to be civil?” He shrugs. “Good enough.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/sevro-are-you-going-to-be-civil-he-shrugs-good-enough/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“New’ generally means someone’s just trying to make money off something old.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/new-generally-means-someone-s-just-trying-to-make-money-off-something/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“WE HURTLE LIKE A black thunderbolt over a pale waste of silicate dust and sulfur dioxide frost in a starship adorned with electric dragons.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/we-hurtle-like-a-black-thunderbolt-over-a-pale-waste-of-silicate-dust/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) [Explore all 307 Pierce Brown quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) ## More Gods quotes > [“Is that what they teach you at the convent? That the gods demand the hearts from our bodies?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lafevers/is-that-what-they-teach-you-at-the-convent-that-the-gods-demand-the/) [Robin LaFevers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lafevers/) > [What Gods do you believe in? I'll build you a temple of mirrors so you can see them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/what-gods-do-you-believe-in-i-ll-build-you-a-temple-of-mirrors-so-you/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/against-stupidity-the-gods-themselves-contend-in-vain/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Do you see those dull stars?" She outlined the formation with her finger. "A pentagram," whispered Scott. "Yes, but not just any pentagram. Take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mattie/do-you-see-those-dull-stars-she-outlined-the-formation-with-her/) [Katie Mattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mattie/) > [How do you explain a person like Asha Bhosle? A star or a super star or just someone from the Gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anu-malik/how-do-you-explain-a-person-like-asha-bhosle-a-star-or-a-super-star/) [Anu Malik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anu-malik/) > [“Once upon a time, there was a man as great as the gods… But even the great can tremble with fear. Even the great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/once-upon-a-time-there-was-a-man-as-great-as-the-gods-but-even-the/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [“Aeneas' mother is a star?" "No; a goddess." I said cautiously, "Venus is the power that we invoke in spring, in the garden, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/aeneas-mother-is-a-star-no-a-goddess-i-said-cautiously-venus-is-the/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [“Holy gods. He'd frozen the whole damn lake. He was THAT powerful?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/holy-gods-he-d-frozen-the-whole-damn-lake-he-was-that-powerful/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“The Gods know what it is to be eternal, and they love to toy with mortals who use absolutes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-angelini/the-gods-know-what-it-is-to-be-eternal-and-they-love-to-toy-with/) [Josephine Angelini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-angelini/) > [“It was suffering and incapacity that created all afterworlds - this, and that brief madness of bliss which is experienced only by those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-was-suffering-and-incapacity-that-created-all-afterworlds-this-and/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“The natural gods of men are other men, mythic or real, who embody manhood in men's eyes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-donovan/the-natural-gods-of-men-are-other-men-mythic-or-real-who-embody/) [Jack Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-donovan/) > [“Every nation is part of the history we inherit, blacks and whites, slaves and gods; we have no other option, embracing each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/every-nation-is-part-of-the-history-we-inherit-blacks-and-whites/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [Ancient societies had anthropomorphic gods: a huge pantheon expanding into centuries of dynastic drama; fathers and sons, martyred heroes, star-crossed lovers, the deaths of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hiddleston/ancient-societies-had-anthropomorphic-gods-a-huge-pantheon-expanding/) [Tom Hiddleston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hiddleston/) > [It is convenient that there be gods, and, as it is convenient, let us believe there are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/it-is-convenient-that-there-be-gods-and-as-it-is-convenient-let-us/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Astrology reveals the will of the gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/astrology-reveals-the-will-of-the-gods/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) [Browse all 1,461 Gods quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Funny thing, watching gods realize they’ve been mortal all along.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Pierce Brown" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/funny-thing-watching-gods-realize-they-ve-been-mortal-all-along/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Gods" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/funny-thing-watching-gods-realize-they-ve-been-mortal-all-along/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cba/pierce-brown-1011_gods_funny-thing-watching-gods-realize-they-v_2722898.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cba/pierce-brown-1011_gods_funny-thing-watching-gods-realize-they-v_2722898.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cba/pierce-brown-1011_gods_funny-thing-watching-gods-realize-they-v_2722898.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Funny thing, watching gods realize they’ve been mortal all along.” — Pierce Brown", "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": "Pierce Brown", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Funny thing, watching gods realize they’ve...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/funny-thing-watching-gods-realize-they-ve-been-mortal-all-along/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/funny-thing-watching-gods-realize-they-ve-been-mortal-all-along/#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 } } ] } ```