--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Time goes by so fast. Nothin' can outrun…" description: "\"Time goes by so fast. Nothin' can outrun it. Death commences too early--almost before you're half-acquainted with life--you meet the other.\" — Tennesse..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/tennessee-williams-745_death_time-goes-by-so-fast-nothin-can-outrun-i_232904.png" --- # Time goes by so fast. Nothin' can outrun it. Death… ![“Time goes by so fast. Nothin' can outrun it. Death commences too early--almost before you're half-acquainted with life--you meet the other.” quote by Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/tennessee-williams-745_death_time-goes-by-so-fast-nothin-can-outrun-i_232904.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/tennessee-williams-745_death_time-goes-by-so-fast-nothin-can-outrun-i_232904.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/tennessee-williams-745_death_time-goes-by-so-fast-nothin-can-outrun-i_232904.png) > “Time goes by so fast. Nothin' can outrun it. Death commences too early--almost before you're half-acquainted with life--you meet the other.” [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life passes quickly, and death often arrives before we fully experience it, urging us to cherish each moment. **In simple terms:** Life is fleeting; death can come early. Key Takeaway Live fully and savor the present. Themes mortality time impermanence reflection Mood melancholic introspective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - personal relationships - career planning - health decisions Key Concepts Existentialism human condition awareness Questions to Reflect On - What moments are you neglecting? - How can you make everyday experiences more meaningful? A Different Perspective Focusing only on death can cause anxiety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Prepare to evacuate soul in ten, in nine, eight. Chloe's splashing through the ankle-deep back-up of renal fluid from her failed kidneys. Death will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/prepare-to-evacuate-soul-in-ten-in-nine-eight-chloe-s-splashing/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [People come into your lives who you have a good time with, and time goes by and you still have a good time with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-devito/people-come-into-your-lives-who-you-have-a-good-time-with-and-time/) [Danny DeVito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-devito/) > [Time goes by at such a pace,it's funny how it's easy to forget her face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/time-goes-by-at-such-a-pace-it-s-funny-how-it-s-easy-to-forget-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [As time goes by people will see who I am for who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-timberlake/as-time-goes-by-people-will-see-who-i-am-for-who-i-am/) [Justin Timberlake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-timberlake/) > [You breathe in and out; you breathe in and you breathe out, and you live one moment into the next moment, and then time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-vanderbilt/you-breathe-in-and-out-you-breathe-in-and-you-breathe-out-and-you/) [Gloria Vanderbilt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-vanderbilt/) > [The more time goes by, the more I hate Ke$ha.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/the-more-time-goes-by-the-more-i-hate-ke-ha/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [Time goes by so quickly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-zarin/time-goes-by-so-quickly/) [Jill Zarin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-zarin/) > [The fundamental things apply As time goes by.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-hupfeld/the-fundamental-things-apply-as-time-goes-by/) Herman Hupfeld > [I'll go where secrets are sold Where roses unfold I'll sleep as time goes by](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-rose/i-ll-go-where-secrets-are-sold-where-roses-unfold-i-ll-sleep-as-time/) [Katy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-rose/) > [There comes a point in your life when you realize how quickly time goes by, and how quickly it has gone. Then it really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-keaton/there-comes-a-point-in-your-life-when-you-realize-how-quickly-time/) [Michael Keaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-keaton/) > [I'm gonna live my life. I won't watch the time go by. I won't keep it inside. Freak out, let it go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avril-lavigne/i-m-gonna-live-my-life-i-won-t-watch-the-time-go-by-i-won-t-keep-it/) [Avril Lavigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avril-lavigne/) > [I bought a piano once because I had the dream of playing As Time Goes By as some girl's leaning on it drinking a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-clooney/i-bought-a-piano-once-because-i-had-the-dream-of-playing-as-time-goes/) [George Clooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-clooney/) > [I look at my first books and am glad they weren't published… You start writing by imitating your heroes, then you keep the heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/i-look-at-my-first-books-and-am-glad-they-weren-t-published-you-start/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [It's a wonderful thing as time goes by, to be with someone who looks into your face when you've gotten old and still sees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cromwell/it-s-a-wonderful-thing-as-time-goes-by-to-be-with-someone-who-looks/) [James Cromwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cromwell/) > [Because there is actually something very interesting in Goodfellas, how the style of the film changes as time goes by and based on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cox/because-there-is-actually-something-very-interesting-in-goodfellas/) [Alex Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cox/) ## More by Tennessee Williams > [“Nothing human disgusts me unless its unkind”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/nothing-human-disgusts-me-unless-its-unkind/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [These are the intensities that one cannot live with, that he has to outgrow if he wants to survive. But who can help grieving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/these-are-the-intensities-that-one-cannot-live-with-that-he-has-to/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [“Well, you better look out. They got a new bureau in the guvamint files. It’s called U.W. Stands for Useless Wimmen. Tha’s secret plans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/well-you-better-look-out-they-got-a-new-bureau-in-the-guvamint-files/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [People go to the movies instead of moving. Hollywood characters are supposed to have all the adventures for everybody in America, while everybody in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/people-go-to-the-movies-instead-of-moving-hollywood-characters-are/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [They chatter together like birds on Cypress Hill, but all they say is 'Live, live, live, live, live!' It's all they've learned, it's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/they-chatter-together-like-birds-on-cypress-hill-but-all-they-say-is/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [You take it for granted that I am in something that I want to get out of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/you-take-it-for-granted-that-i-am-in-something-that-i-want-to-get-out/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [Guessing isn't knowing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/guessing-isn-t-knowing/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [I respect a person that has had to fight and howl for his decency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/i-respect-a-person-that-has-had-to-fight-and-howl-for-his-decency/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [Life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quickly you hardly catch it going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/life-is-all-memory-except-for-the-one-present-moment-that-goes-by-you/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [Most of the confidence which I appear to feel, especially when influenced by noon wine, is only a pretense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/most-of-the-confidence-which-i-appear-to-feel-especially-when/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [I cannot write any sort of story unless there is at least one character in it for whom I have physical desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/i-cannot-write-any-sort-of-story-unless-there-is-at-least-one/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [I know so well what becomes of unmarried women who aren't prepared to occupy a position. I've seen such pitiful cases in the South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/i-know-so-well-what-becomes-of-unmarried-women-who-aren-t-prepared-to/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [“The Jefferson is such a dignified hotel / There is no such thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/the-jefferson-is-such-a-dignified-hotel-there-is-no-such-thing/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [“A drinking man's someone who wants to forget he isn't still young and believing”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/a-drinking-man-s-someone-who-wants-to-forget-he-isn-t-still-young-and/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) > [“As for me, no one will ever love me. But you could get used to me, couldn't you, Jimmy?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/as-for-me-no-one-will-ever-love-me-but-you-could-get-used-to-me/) [Tennessee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) [Explore all 373 Tennessee Williams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/) ## 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 > [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 > [“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": "Time goes by so fast. Nothin' can outrun it. Death commences too early--almost before you're half-acquainted with life--you meet the other.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tennessee Williams" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/time-goes-by-so-fast-nothin-can-outrun-it-death-commences-too-early/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Death" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/time-goes-by-so-fast-nothin-can-outrun-it-death-commences-too-early/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/tennessee-williams-745_death_time-goes-by-so-fast-nothin-can-outrun-i_232904.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/tennessee-williams-745_death_time-goes-by-so-fast-nothin-can-outrun-i_232904.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c74/tennessee-williams-745_death_time-goes-by-so-fast-nothin-can-outrun-i_232904.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Time goes by so fast. Nothin' can outrun it. Death commences too early--almost before you're half-acquainted…” — Tennessee Williams", "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": "Tennessee Williams", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-williams/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Time goes by so fast. Nothin'...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/time-goes-by-so-fast-nothin-can-outrun-it-death-commences-too-early/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-williams/time-goes-by-so-fast-nothin-can-outrun-it-death-commences-too-early/#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 } } ] } ```