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Art is long, life is short; judgement difficult, opportunity transient.
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Art endures while life is fleeting and opportunities are often missed.

This quote by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe reflects on the paradox of human existence, highlighting that while art can last for generations, our lives are brief and filled with challenges. It suggests that the creation of art requires time and effort, whereas life is ultimately short and filled with fleeting moments of opportunity that can easily be overlooked or lost.

Themes

ArtLifeOpportunityJudgementTransience

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about creativity at a conference, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of pursuing artistic endeavors despite life's brevity.

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Know thyself? If I knew myself I would run away.
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