--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and…" description: "\"I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and my veil no mortal ever took up.\" — Plutarch" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/195/plutarch-597_death_i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-m_138463.jpg" --- # I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and my veil no… ![“I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and my veil no mortal ever took up.” quote by Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/195/plutarch-597_death_i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-m_138463.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/195/plutarch-597_death_i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-m_138463.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/195/plutarch-597_death_i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-m_138463.jpg) > “I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and my veil no mortal ever took up.” [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker claims timeless identity beyond mortality, suggesting an eternal self that transcends physical existence. **In simple terms:** Identity persists beyond life and death. Key Takeaway Recognize an enduring inner self. Themes eternity identity philosophy mortality self Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical personal When to use this quote - meditation - legacy building - storytelling Key Concepts metaphysics history Questions to Reflect On - What does “veil” symbolize for you? - How does timeless identity affect daily choices? A Different Perspective Eternal claims may ignore present responsibilities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Mortal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortal/) [Mortal Took](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortal-took-1571032/) [Mortals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortals/) [Took](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/took/) [Veil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/veil/) [Veil Mortal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/veil-mortal-1571031/) [Veils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/veils/) ## Related quotes > [I am all that hath been, and is, and shall be; and my veil no mortal has hitherto raised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/i-am-all-that-hath-been-and-is-and-shall-be-and-my-veil-no-mortal-has/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [There will be days when you feel defeated, exhausted, and plain old beat-up by life's whiplash. People you love will disappoint you - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheri-l-dew/there-will-be-days-when-you-feel-defeated-exhausted-and-plain-old/) [Sheri L. Dew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheri-l-dew/) > [ \[Turkish women\] had lived free of the veil for 5,000 years, and had been covered only in the last 600 years. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mustafa-kemal-ataturk/turkish-women-had-lived-free-of-the-veil-for-5-000-years-and-had-been/) [Mustafa Kemal Ataturk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mustafa-kemal-ataturk/) > [Take away, O Lord, the veil of my heart while I read the Scriptures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/take-away-o-lord-the-veil-of-my-heart-while-i-read-the-scriptures/) [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) > [No government can make me wear a veil, no government can force me not to wear it either](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirin-ebadi/no-government-can-make-me-wear-a-veil-no-government-can-force-me-not/) [Shirin Ebadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirin-ebadi/) > [I had a holiday job in a kitchen, but I think well draw a polite veil over that. There was nothing joyous or creative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/i-had-a-holiday-job-in-a-kitchen-but-i-think-well-draw-a-polite-veil/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [Now I am nothing but a veil; all my body is a veil beneath which a child sleeps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriela-mistral/now-i-am-nothing-but-a-veil-all-my-body-is-a-veil-beneath-which-a/) [Gabriela Mistral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriela-mistral/) > [However we may conceal our passions under the veil ... there is always some place where they peep out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/however-we-may-conceal-our-passions-under-the-veil-there-is-always/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [Behind a veil, unseen yet present, I was the forceful soul that moved this mighty body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-racine/behind-a-veil-unseen-yet-present-i-was-the-forceful-soul-that-moved/) [Jean Racine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-racine/) > [If women had to promise to provide for a man for a lifetime before he removed his veil and showed her his smile, would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/if-women-had-to-promise-to-provide-for-a-man-for-a-lifetime-before-he/) [Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/) > [Like a saint's vision of beatitude. Like the veil of things as they seem drawn back by an unseen hand. For a second you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-o-neill/like-a-saint-s-vision-of-beatitude-like-the-veil-of-things-as-they/) [Eugene O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-o-neill/) > [The Quran says nothing about the veil, except for an injunction to veil the bosom, which is obvious. As for the face, Muhammad's wife…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-stanley-robinson/the-quran-says-nothing-about-the-veil-except-for-an-injunction-to/) [Kim Stanley Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-stanley-robinson/) > [For a privileged minority, Western democracy provides the leisure, the facilities, and the training to seek the truth lying hidden behind the veil of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/for-a-privileged-minority-western-democracy-provides-the-leisure-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Lift the veil that obscures the heart, and there you will find what you are looking for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/lift-the-veil-that-obscures-the-heart-and-there-you-will-find-what/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [Eternity doth wear upon her face the veil of time. They only see the veil, and thus they know not what they stand so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-smith/eternity-doth-wear-upon-her-face-the-veil-of-time-they-only-see-the/) [Alexander Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-smith/) ## More by Plutarch > [When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/when-eud-monidas-heard-a-philosopher-arguing-that-only-a-wise-man-can/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [The generous mind adds dignity to every act, and nothing misbecomes it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/the-generous-mind-adds-dignity-to-every-act-and-nothing-misbecomes-it/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Painting is silent poetry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/painting-is-silent-poetry/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [King Agis said, "The Lacedæmonians are not wont to ask how many, but where the enemy are."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/king-agis-said-the-laced-monians-are-not-wont-to-ask-how-many-but/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Alexander wept when he heard from Anaxarchus that there was an infinite number of worlds; and his friends asking him if any accident had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/alexander-wept-when-he-heard-from-anaxarchus-that-there-was-an/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Proper listening is the foundation of proper living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/proper-listening-is-the-foundation-of-proper-living/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/painting-is-silent-poetry-and-poetry-is-painting-that-speaks/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Speech is like cloth of Arras opened and put abroad, whereby the imagery doth appear in figure; whereas in thoughts they lie but as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/speech-is-like-cloth-of-arras-opened-and-put-abroad-whereby-the/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [There were two brothers called Both and Either; perceiving Either was a good, understanding, busy fellow, and Both a silly fellow and good for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/there-were-two-brothers-called-both-and-either-perceiving-either-was/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Why does pouring Oil on the Sea make it Clear and Calm? Is it that the winds, slipping the smooth oil, have no force,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/why-does-pouring-oil-on-the-sea-make-it-clear-and-calm-is-it-that-the/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [This excerpt is presented as reproduced by Copernicus in the preface to De Revolutionibus: "Some think that the earth remains at rest. But Philolaus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/this-excerpt-is-presented-as-reproduced-by-copernicus-in-the-preface/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/it-is-part-of-a-good-man-to-do-great-and-noble-deeds-though-he-risk/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [The pilot cannot mitigate the billows or calm the winds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/the-pilot-cannot-mitigate-the-billows-or-calm-the-winds/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [“In Springtime, O Dionysos, To thy holy temple come, To Elis with thy Graces, Rushing with thy bull-foot, come, Noble Bull, Noble Bull”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/in-springtime-o-dionysos-to-thy-holy-temple-come-to-elis-with-thy/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [There is no perfecter endowment in man than political virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/there-is-no-perfecter-endowment-in-man-than-political-virtue/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) [Explore all 451 Plutarch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## More Death quotes > [“He wondered how it was fair that your dying should depend so much on when you were born.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/he-wondered-how-it-was-fair-that-your-dying-should-depend-so-much-on/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [I do not want to live at the cost of the life even of a snake. I should let him bite me to death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-do-not-want-to-live-at-the-cost-of-the-life-even-of-a-snake-i/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“It was beautiful. He thought he had never seen anything so beautiful in all his life; that, having seen it, he could die content,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/it-was-beautiful-he-thought-he-had-never-seen-anything-so-beautiful/) [Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/) > [Retirement? You're talking about death, right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-altman/retirement-you-re-talking-about-death-right/) [Robert Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-altman/) > [With multiplayer, permanent death, and an ever-changing world to explore and conquer, 'A Valley Without Wind' might be the place you're looking for if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-manuel/with-multiplayer-permanent-death-and-an-ever-changing-world-to/) [Rob Manuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-manuel/) > [“What did you see?” she asked gently. His brow furrowed, as if he could not understand the question. Then his eyes turned to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-anthony-torino/what-did-you-see-she-asked-gently-his-brow-furrowed-as-if-he-could/) [J. Anthony Torino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-anthony-torino/) > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“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/) > [“You must understand the pain and grief of losing someone is nothing more than a function of survival.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-cooper/you-must-understand-the-pain-and-grief-of-losing-someone-is-nothing/) [Steven Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-cooper/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [“Death is a reality that calls the rest of life and all of our assorted strivings into sharp relief.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/death-is-a-reality-that-calls-the-rest-of-life-and-all-of-our/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [I love life. I love life to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuelle-riva/i-love-life-i-love-life-to-death/) [Emmanuelle Riva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuelle-riva/) > [I think when you’re dying you start looking for important things in the corners. You can’t let anything that seems even semi-important pass, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-crutcher/i-think-when-you-re-dying-you-start-looking-for-important-things-in/) [Chris Crutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-crutcher/) [Browse all 39,127 Death quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and my veil no mortal ever took up.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Plutarch" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-my-veil-no-mortal-ever-took-up/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Death" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-my-veil-no-mortal-ever-took-up/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/195/plutarch-597_death_i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-m_138463.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/195/plutarch-597_death_i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-m_138463.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/195/plutarch-597_death_i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-m_138463.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and my veil no mortal ever took up.” — Plutarch", "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": "Plutarch", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I am whatever was, or is,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-my-veil-no-mortal-ever-took-up/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-my-veil-no-mortal-ever-took-up/#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 } } ] } ```