The phoenix hope, can wing her way through the desert skies, and still defying fortune's spite; revive from ashes and rise.
Miguel De CervantesRead
To think that the affairs of this life always remain in the same state is a vain presumption; indeed they all seem to be perpetually changing and moving in a circular course. Spring is followed by summer, summer by autumn, and autumn by winter, which is again followed by spring, and so time continues its everlasting round. But the life of man is ever racing to its end, swifter than time itself, without hope of renewal, unless in the next that is limitless and infinite.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Change is the only constant in life, and everything is in a continuous cycle, including human existence.
In this quote, Cervantes reflects on the nature of life and time, emphasizing that while the seasons follow one another in a predictable cycle, human life is fleeting and moves towards an inevitable end. He points out the illusion of stability in life, suggesting that true renewal can only be found in the infinite beyond, urging a recognition of the transient nature of our existence.
Themes
ChangeLifeTimeRenewalSeasons
In practice
Example use cases
During a seminar on the nature of existence, this quote can illustrate the inevitability of change.
More from Miguel De Cervantes
All quotes →Patience and shuffle the cards.
Miguel De CervantesRead
It's up to brave hearts, sir, to be patient when things are going badly, as well as being happy when they're going well ... For I've heard that what they call fortune is a flighty woman who drinks too much, and, what's more, she's blind, so she can't see what she's doing, and she doesn't know who she's knocking over or who she's raising up.
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When the head aches, all the members partake of the pain.
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Though Gods attributes are equal, yet his mercy is more attractive and pleasing in our eyes than his justice.
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If you are ambitious of climbing up to the difficult, and in a manner inaccessible, summit of the Temple of Fame, your surest way is to leave on one hand the narrow path of Poetry, and follow the narrower track of Knight-Errantry, which in a trice may raise you to an imperial throne.
Miguel De CervantesRead
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