Air Quote by Thomas Carlyle
“Are we not Spirits, that are shaped into a body, into an Appearance; and that fade away again into air and Invisibility? Oh, Heaven, it is mysterious, it is awful to consider that we not only carry a future Ghost within us; but are, in very deed, Ghosts! These Limbs, whence had we them; this stormy Force; this life-blood with its burning Passion? They are dust and shadow; a Shadow-system gathered round our Me; wherein, through some moments or years, the Divine Essence is to be revealed in the Flesh.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "Signs of the Times", 1849
Explores the spiritual and material transformation of humans into fleeting, ghost‑like beings seeking divine revelation.
In simple terms: Humans are temporary vessels seeking deeper meaning.
Key Takeaway
Seek deeper purpose beyond material life.
Themes
spirituality
existence
transformation
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- life crises
- philosophical contemplation
- artistic creation
- ritual practice
Key Concepts
metaphysics
human fragility
Questions to Reflect On
- What does your “ghost” represent?
- How can you honor the divine within?
A Different Perspective
The abstract nature may be hard to apply daily.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)