Clocks Quote by Ray Bradbury
““But what father ever really believes it? He carries no burden, he feels no pain. What man, like woman, lies down in darkness and gets up with child? The gentle, smiling ones own the good secret. Oh, what strange wonderful clocks women are. They nest in Time. They make the flesh that holds fast and binds eternity. They live inside the gift, know power, accept, and need not mention it. Why speak of Time when you are Time, and shape the universal moments, as they pass, into warmth and action? How men envy and often hate these warm clocks, these wives, who know they will live forever. So what do we do? We men turn terribly mean, because we can’t hold to the world or ourselves or anything. We are blind to continuity, all breaks down, falls, melts, stops, rots, or runs away. So, since we cannot shape Time, where does that leave men? Sleepless. Staring.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Illustrated Man, 1951
The passage reflects on women's timeless role as creators and sustainers of life, contrasting it with men's fear of mortality and tendency toward cruelty.
In simple terms: Women nurture life and time; men fear it and become harsh.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and honor the enduring, nurturing power of women.
Themes
gender
time
creation
mortality
power
envy
Mood
reflective
somber
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- family dynamics
- relationship counseling
- gender studies
- philosophical discussion
Key Concepts
feminine archetype
existential reflection
life cycles
Questions to Reflect On
- How can men embrace continuity without losing identity?
- What practices foster mutual respect between genders?
A Different Perspective
Men's cruelty stems from fear of impermanence and lack of continuity.
