--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The things that are seen, are temporal…" description: "\"“The things that are seen, are temporal; the things that are unseen, are eternal.\" It”\" — Ralph Waldo Emerson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef2/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_eternal_the-things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-th_3207309.png" --- # The things that are seen, are temporal; the things that… ![“The things that are seen, are temporal; the things that are unseen, are eternal." It” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef2/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_eternal_the-things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-th_3207309.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef2/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_eternal_the-things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-th_3207309.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef2/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_eternal_the-things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-th_3207309.png) > ““The things that are seen, are temporal; the things that are unseen, are eternal." It”” [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Visible things are temporary, unseen truths are everlasting. **In simple terms:** Seen things fade; unseen truths endure. Key Takeaway Seek deeper, lasting truths beyond appearances. Themes spirituality timelessness perception Mood contemplative inspired Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal growth - scientific inquiry - artistic creation - spiritual practice - historical analysis Key Concepts philosophy metaphysics Questions to Reflect On - What unseen truths guide your life? - How do you balance visible and invisible knowledge? A Different Perspective Focusing only on the unseen can ignore practical realities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Eternal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal/) [Eternity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternity/) [Temporal things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temporal-things/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Things that are seen are temporal; things that are unseen are eternal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-things-that-are-unseen-are-eternal/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [For the things that are seen are temporal, but things that are unseen are eternal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/for-the-things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-but-things-that-are-unseen/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [It gives me a deep comforting sense that Things seen are temporal and things unseen are eternal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/it-gives-me-a-deep-comforting-sense-that-things-seen-are-temporal-and/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [The first and last lesson of religion is, 'The things that are seen are temporal; the things that are not seen are eternal.' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-first-and-last-lesson-of-religion-is-the-things-that-are-seen-are/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The first and last lesson of religion is, "The things that are seen, are temporal; the things that are unseen, are eternal." It puts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-first-and-last-lesson-of-religion-is-the-things-that-are-seen-are-2/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“For the things which are seen are temporal. But the things which are not seen are eternal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/for-the-things-which-are-seen-are-temporal-but-the-things-which-are/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [“We look not at the things which are what you would call seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/we-look-not-at-the-things-which-are-what-you-would-call-seen-but-at/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeri-smith-ready/for-what-is-seen-is-temporary-but-what-is-unseen-is-eternal/) [Jeri Smith-Ready](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeri-smith-ready/) > [“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/so-we-fix-our-eyes-not-on-what-is-seen-but-on-what-is-unseen-since/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/so-we-fix-our-eyes-not-on-what-is-seen-but-on-what-is-unseen-for-what/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” -2 Corinthians, 2: 18”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-trimnell/for-what-is-seen-is-temporary-but-what-is-unseen-is-eternal-2/) [Edward Trimnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-trimnell/) > [“Faith is the substance of things unseen. (Rom. 10:17). By faith, we hold as true those things that can in no way be visualized.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-duden/faith-is-the-substance-of-things-unseen-rom-10-17-by-faith-we-hold-as/) Barbara Duden > [When the heart and mind focus on things unseen - that's when there's a visible change in us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/when-the-heart-and-mind-focus-on-things-unseen-that-s-when-there-s-a/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [“And she was richer in those dreams than in realities; for things seen pass away, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-she-was-richer-in-those-dreams-than-in-realities-for-things-seen/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some things are unseen when some things are right in front of you. You just have to reach out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author-name/some-things-are-unseen-when-some-things-are-right-in-front-of-you-you/) Author Name ## More by Ralph Waldo Emerson > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-will-not-interfere-with-our-thought-but-will-act-entirely-or/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-cannot-speak-but-he-judges-himself-with-his-will-or-against-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/consideration-is-the-soil-in-which-wisdom-may-be-expected-to-grow-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“There is then creative reading as well as creative writing. When the mind is braced by labor and invention, the page of whatever book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-then-creative-reading-as-well-as-creative-writing-when-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The order of things consents to virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-order-of-things-consents-to-virtue/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Life only avails, not the having lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/life-only-avails-not-the-having-lived/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Another success is the post-office, with its educating energy augmented by cheapness and guarded by a certain religious sentimentin mankind; so that the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/another-success-is-the-post-office-with-its-educating-energy/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-child-reminds-us-that-playtime-is-an-essential-part-of-our-daily/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [No man can be criticised but by a greater than he. Do not, then, read the reviews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/no-man-can-be-criticised-but-by-a-greater-than-he-do-not-then-read/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coal-lay-in-ledges-under-the-ground-since-the-flood-until-a-laborer/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I am; therefore, I had nothing better to do than to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-am-therefore-i-had-nothing-better-to-do-than-to-think/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends, but they are imprisoned by an enchanter in these paper and leathern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-a-library-we-are-surrounded-by-many-hundreds-of-dear-friends-but/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-compensations-of-calamity-are-made-apparent-to-the-understanding/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) [Explore all 4,802 Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More Eternal quotes > [Many individuals spend a considerable portion of their lifetimes in terror of one imagined catastrophe or another. The classic is that your immortal soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-neil-smith/many-individuals-spend-a-considerable-portion-of-their-lifetimes-in/) [L. Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [“Please not yet. Those are the three eternal words. Please not yet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-macdonald/please-not-yet-those-are-the-three-eternal-words-please-not-yet/) [John D. MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-macdonald/) > [I remain an eternal optimist about love. I believe in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lopez/i-remain-an-eternal-optimist-about-love-i-believe-in-love/) [Jennifer Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lopez/) > [The writings of latter-day prophets clearly teach that the sorrows and sufferings endured by Adam and Eve upon their leaving the Garden of Eden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-k-judd/the-writings-of-latter-day-prophets-clearly-teach-that-the-sorrows/) Daniel K Judd > [There are two kinds of beauty; there is a beauty which God gives at birth, and which withers as a flower. And there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/there-are-two-kinds-of-beauty-there-is-a-beauty-which-god-gives-at/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [The time has come for us to understand that the Eternal Feminine is the greatest power in this Universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samael-aun-weor/the-time-has-come-for-us-to-understand-that-the-eternal-feminine-is/) [Samael Aun Weor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samael-aun-weor/) > [May God bless each of us in our calls to serve. May our faith strengthen as we serve in righteousness, faithfully keeping the commandments.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-tom-perry/may-god-bless-each-of-us-in-our-calls-to-serve-may-our-faith/) [L. Tom Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-tom-perry/) > [We are eternal. All this pain is an illusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-james-keenan/we-are-eternal-all-this-pain-is-an-illusion/) [Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/) > [In some respects I will never die. Because art is immortal. What we leave behind and what we create - the energy that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/in-some-respects-i-will-never-die-because-art-is-immortal-what-we/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [The only way to have eternal love is to never let your heart forget what it’s like to live without it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/the-only-way-to-have-eternal-love-is-to-never-let-your-heart-forget/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [My God, whose son, as on this night, took on Him the form of man, and for man vouchsafed to suffer and bleed, controls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/my-god-whose-son-as-on-this-night-took-on-him-the-form-of-man-and-for/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [In the course of our eternal existence, we spend infinitely more time in the spirit world on the other side than we spend in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-browne/in-the-course-of-our-eternal-existence-we-spend-infinitely-more-time/) [Sylvia Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-browne/) > [The propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-propitious-smiles-of-heaven-can-never-be-expected-on-a-nation/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [If our faith in God is not the veriest sham, it demands, and will produce, the abandonment sometimes, the subordination always, of external helps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/if-our-faith-in-god-is-not-the-veriest-sham-it-demands-and-will/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) [Browse all 3,280 Eternal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The things that are seen, are temporal; the things that are unseen, are eternal.\" It”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ralph Waldo Emerson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-the-things-that-are-unseen-are/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Eternal" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-the-things-that-are-unseen-are/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef2/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_eternal_the-things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-th_3207309.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef2/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_eternal_the-things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-th_3207309.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef2/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_eternal_the-things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-th_3207309.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The things that are seen, are temporal; the things that are unseen, are eternal.\" It” — Ralph Waldo Emerson", "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": "Ralph Waldo Emerson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The things that are seen, are...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-the-things-that-are-unseen-are/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-things-that-are-seen-are-temporal-the-things-that-are-unseen-are/#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 } } ] } ```