--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When the race is ended, and the play is…" description: "\"When the race is ended, and the play is either won or lost, and ye are in the utmost circle and border of time, and shall put your foot within the marc..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/16e/samuel-rutherford-3289_ashes_when-the-race-is-ended-and-the-play-is-e_2654527.png" --- # When the race is ended, and the play is either won or… ![“When the race is ended, and the play is either won or lost, and ye are in the utmost circle and border of time, and shall put your foot within the march of eternity, all the good things of your short nightdream shall seem to you like ashes of a blaze of thorns or straw.” quote by Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/16e/samuel-rutherford-3289_ashes_when-the-race-is-ended-and-the-play-is-e_2654527.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/16e/samuel-rutherford-3289_ashes_when-the-race-is-ended-and-the-play-is-e_2654527.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/16e/samuel-rutherford-3289_ashes_when-the-race-is-ended-and-the-play-is-e_2654527.png) > “When the race is ended, and the play is either won or lost, and ye are in the utmost circle and border of time, and shall put your foot within the march of eternity, all the good things of your short nightdream shall seem to you like ashes of a blaze of thorns or straw.” [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. After death, earthly achievements fade, leaving only fleeting memories that seem insubstantial. **In simple terms:** Life’s achievements become ash after death. Key Takeaway Focus on lasting virtues, not fleeting fame. Themes mortality impermanence humility Mood contemplative somber Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - end-of-life contemplation - historical analysis - philosophical discourse Key Concepts ephemeral legacy spiritual reflection temporal limits Questions to Reflect On - What truly endures beyond life? - How can we find meaning in fleeting moments? A Different Perspective May overlook the value of temporary joys. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ashes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ashes/) [Blessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blessing/) [Borders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/borders/) [Chastisement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chastisement/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-life/) [Circles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circles/) [Eternity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternity/) [Good things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-things/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Emma, if I had to march an eternity in slavery it would be worth it knowing that you are safe. They can bind my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-gober/emma-if-i-had-to-march-an-eternity-in-slavery-it-would-be-worth-it/) [Rebecca Gober](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-gober/) > [It was so disappointing the way it ended but, to play for England in the World Cup, was still the highlight of my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rickie-lambert/it-was-so-disappointing-the-way-it-ended-but-to-play-for-england-in/) [Rickie Lambert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rickie-lambert/) > [“I’m sure I’ve never heard of this one. You?” Eve shook her head. “I’m not much of a follower of the bard.” Shrugging, Rose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-smith/i-m-sure-i-ve-never-heard-of-this-one-you-eve-shook-her-head-i-m-not/) [Kathryn Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-smith/) > [“From that day on, the school was closed, and without school, life is like ashes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabio-geda/from-that-day-on-the-school-was-closed-and-without-school-life-is/) [Fabio Geda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fabio-geda/) > [“Regrets were ugly, but they scattered like ashes soon enough.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cara-mckenna/regrets-were-ugly-but-they-scattered-like-ashes-soon-enough/) [Cara McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cara-mckenna/) > [“where do dreams after they die? Do they scatter like ashes or live another life?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kasey-jones/where-do-dreams-after-they-die-do-they-scatter-like-ashes-or-live/) Kasey Jones > [“. . . Like ashes of gold in a cinnamon-flame, My youthful desires have been burnt with the years– And tonight in the chilling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haoran-meng/like-ashes-of-gold-in-a-cinnamon-flame-my-youthful-desires-have-been/) Haoran Meng > [Fashion is like the ashes left behind by the uniquely shaped flames of the fire, the trace alone revealing that a fire actually took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-de-man/fashion-is-like-the-ashes-left-behind-by-the-uniquely-shaped-flames/) [Paul de Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-de-man/) > [I don't mind a bit of cricket, but it has to be something massive like the Ashes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/i-don-t-mind-a-bit-of-cricket-but-it-has-to-be-something-massive-like/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [“The memories were like ashes. No fire. Not even a spark. No other sex in my life had touched this level of eroticism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-pierce/the-memories-were-like-ashes-no-fire-not-even-a-spark-no-other-sex-in/) [M. Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-pierce/) > [“He it is still and yet it is not he any longer. His features have become uncertain and faint, like a photographic plate from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/he-it-is-still-and-yet-it-is-not-he-any-longer-his-features-have/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) > [There is nothing quite like an Ashes trip Down Under.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-anderson/there-is-nothing-quite-like-an-ashes-trip-down-under/) [James Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-anderson/) > [If men are given food, but no chastisement nor any work, they become insolent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/if-men-are-given-food-but-no-chastisement-nor-any-work-they-become/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Let weak Christians know that a spark from heaven, though kindled under green wood that sobs and smokes, yet it will consume all at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/let-weak-christians-know-that-a-spark-from-heaven-though-kindled/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [In order to the attaining of all useful knowledge this is most necessary, that we fear God; we are not qualified to profit by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/in-order-to-the-attaining-of-all-useful-knowledge-this-is-most/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) ## More by Samuel Rutherford > [The cross of Christ is the sweetest burden that I ever bore; it is such a burden as wings are to a bird, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/the-cross-of-christ-is-the-sweetest-burden-that-i-ever-bore-it-is/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [Well's them who are under crosses, and Christ says to them, "Half Mine."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/well-s-them-who-are-under-crosses-and-christ-says-to-them-half-mine/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [O, what I owe to the file, the hammer, and the furnace of the Lord Jesus! I know that he is no idle husbandman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/o-what-i-owe-to-the-file-the-hammer-and-the-furnace-of-the-lord-jesus/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [If so be that freewill were our tutor, and we had our heaven in our own keeping, then we would lose all. But because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/if-so-be-that-freewill-were-our-tutor-and-we-had-our-heaven-in-our/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [“...whether God come to his children with a rod or a crown, if he come himself with it, it is well. Welcome, welcome Jesus,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/whether-god-come-to-his-children-with-a-rod-or-a-crown-if-he-come/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [Faint not; the miles to heaven are but few and short.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/faint-not-the-miles-to-heaven-are-but-few-and-short/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [I perceive we postpone all our joys of Christ, till He and we be in our own house above, thinking that there is nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/i-perceive-we-postpone-all-our-joys-of-christ-till-he-and-we-be-in/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [The night will close the door & fasten my anchor within the veil and I shall go away to sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/the-night-will-close-the-door-fasten-my-anchor-within-the-veil-and-i/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [There is nothing left to us but to see how we may be approved of Him, and how we may roll the weight of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/there-is-nothing-left-to-us-but-to-see-how-we-may-be-approved-of-him/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [I wonder many times that ever a child of God should have a sad heart, considering what their Lord is preparing for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/i-wonder-many-times-that-ever-a-child-of-god-should-have-a-sad-heart/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [The hope of heaven under troubles is like wind and sails to the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/the-hope-of-heaven-under-troubles-is-like-wind-and-sails-to-the-soul/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [My desire is that my Lord would give me broader and deeper thoughts, to feed myself with wondering at His love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/my-desire-is-that-my-lord-would-give-me-broader-and-deeper-thoughts/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [When I am in the cellar of affliction, I look for the Lord's choicest wines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/when-i-am-in-the-cellar-of-affliction-i-look-for-the-lord-s-choicest/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [Our little time of suffering is not worthy of our first night's welcome home to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/our-little-time-of-suffering-is-not-worthy-of-our-first-night-s/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) > [The devil is but a whetstone to sharpen the faith and patience of the saints.-](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/the-devil-is-but-a-whetstone-to-sharpen-the-faith-and-patience-of-the/) [Samuel Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) [Explore all 134 Samuel Rutherford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/) ## More Ashes quotes > [You can flush my ashes down the toilet, for all I care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-flush-my-ashes-down-the-toilet-for-all-i-care/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-that-is-gold-does-not-glitter-not-all-those-who-wander-are-lost/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't want to have a gravestone. I want to have all my friends burn me and then snort the ashes. I think that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/i-don-t-want-to-have-a-gravestone-i-want-to-have-all-my-friends-burn/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [You know how this is: if I look at the crystal moon, at the red branch of the slow autumn at my window, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-neruda/you-know-how-this-is-if-i-look-at-the-crystal-moon-at-the-red-branch/) [Pablo Neruda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-neruda/) > [He said that he will never let you cry,he will always be there for you no matter how hard the situation is,that he will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhra/he-said-that-he-will-never-let-you-cry-he-will-always-be-there-for/) Zhra > [“The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-past-is-to-be-learned-from-but-not-lived-in-we-look-back-to-claim/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Much can they praise the trees so straight and high, The sailing pine,the cedar proud and tall, The vine-prop elm, the poplar never dry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/much-can-they-praise-the-trees-so-straight-and-high-the-sailing-pine/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [When any civilization is dust and ashes," he said, "art is all that's left over. Images, words, music. Imaginative structures. Meaning—human meaning, that is—is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/when-any-civilization-is-dust-and-ashes-he-said-art-is-all-that-s/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [Man is a noble animal, splendid in ashes, and pompous in the grave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-browne/man-is-a-noble-animal-splendid-in-ashes-and-pompous-in-the-grave/) [Thomas Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-browne/) > [“Bury us, and mark our names above. Let us be free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-miller/bury-us-and-mark-our-names-above-let-us-be-free/) [Madeline Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-miller/) > [There is nothing quite like an Ashes trip Down Under.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-anderson/there-is-nothing-quite-like-an-ashes-trip-down-under/) [James Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-anderson/) > [I think momentum is huge in sport, especially in a series like the Ashes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/i-think-momentum-is-huge-in-sport-especially-in-a-series-like-the/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [Mark how fleeting and paltry is the estate of man-yesterday in embryo, tomorrow a mummy or ashes. So for the hairsbreadth of time assigned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/mark-how-fleeting-and-paltry-is-the-estate-of-man-yesterday-in-embryo/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [“When you burn a bridge, you have to be prepared to live with some ashes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coppernoll/when-you-burn-a-bridge-you-have-to-be-prepared-to-live-with-some-ashes/) [Chris Coppernoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coppernoll/) > [I would rather be ashes than dust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/i-would-rather-be-ashes-than-dust/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) [Browse all 900 Ashes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ashes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When the race is ended, and the play is either won or lost, and ye are in the utmost circle and border of time, and shall put your foot within the march of eternity, all the good things of your short nightdream shall seem to you like ashes of a blaze of thorns or straw.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Samuel Rutherford" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/when-the-race-is-ended-and-the-play-is-either-won-or-lost-and-ye-are/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ashes" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/when-the-race-is-ended-and-the-play-is-either-won-or-lost-and-ye-are/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/16e/samuel-rutherford-3289_ashes_when-the-race-is-ended-and-the-play-is-e_2654527.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/16e/samuel-rutherford-3289_ashes_when-the-race-is-ended-and-the-play-is-e_2654527.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/16e/samuel-rutherford-3289_ashes_when-the-race-is-ended-and-the-play-is-e_2654527.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When the race is ended, and the play is either won or lost, and ye are in the utmost circle and border of…” — Samuel Rutherford", "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": "Samuel Rutherford", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-rutherford/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When the race is ended, and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/when-the-race-is-ended-and-the-play-is-either-won-or-lost-and-ye-are/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-rutherford/when-the-race-is-ended-and-the-play-is-either-won-or-lost-and-ye-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 } } ] } ```