Aprons Quote by Selma Lagerlöf
“... I see the green earth covered with the works of man or with the ruins of men’s work. The pyramids weigh down the earth, the tower of Babel has pierced the sky, the lovely temples and the gray castles have fallen into ruins. But of all those things which hands have built, what hasn’t fallen nor ever will fall? Dear friends, throw away the trowel and mortarboard! Throw your masons’ aprons over your heads and lie down to build dreams! What are temples of stone and clay to the soul? Learn to build eternal mansions of dreams and visions!”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Wonderful Adventures of Nils, 1906
Human creations are fleeting; only intangible dreams endure beyond material decay.
In simple terms: Dreams outlast physical structures.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize visionary pursuits over material legacy.
Themes
impermanence
dreams
legacy
spirituality
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- architectural design
- personal goal setting
- artistic creation
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
existentialism
transcendence
creative imagination
Questions to Reflect On
- What lasting impact do you wish to leave?
- How can you shift focus from tangible to intangible achievements?
A Different Perspective
Physical monuments crumble, but ideas persist.
![“When I left Merle was wearing a bungalow apron and rolling pie crust. She came to the door wiping her hands on the apron and kissed me on the mouth and began to cry and ran back into the house, leaving the doorway empty [...] I had a funny feeling as I saw the house disappear, as though I had…” quote by Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e70/raymond-chandler-629_aprons_when-i-left-merle-was-wearing-a-bungalow_403084.jpg)
