How little we have, I thought, between us and the waiting cold, the mystery, death--a strip of beach, a hill, a few walls of wood or stone, a little fire--and tomorrow's sun, rising and warming us, tomorrow's hope of peace and better weather . . . What if tomorrow vanished in the storm? What if time stood still? And yesterday--if once we lost our way, blundered in the storm--would we find yesterday again ahead of us, where we had thought tomorrow's sun would rise?
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the fragility of life and the uncertainty of tomorrow, emphasizing the transient nature of our existence.
In this quote, Robert Nathan poignantly captures the essence of human vulnerability and the thin barrier that separates us from the unknown, represented by death and mystery. He delves into the theme of time, pondering what it means to hold on to hopes for tomorrow while being acutely aware of how easily those hopes can be swept away by unforeseen circumstances. The imagery of physical elements like a beach, hill, and fire symbolize the temporary comforts we cling to, contrasting with the profound questions about our past and future, making us reflect on the importance of cherishing each moment.
In practice
In a speech about overcoming challenges, one might reflect on this quote to emphasize the importance of living in the moment and appreciating what we have.
To admit one's own presuppositions and to point out the presuppositions of others is therefore to maintain that all reasoning is, in the nature of the case, circular reasoning. The starting-point, the method, and the conclusion are always involved in one another.
...in the decline of life shame and grief are of short duration; whether it be that we bear easily what we have borne long; or that, finding ourselves in age less regarded, we less regard others; or, that we look with slight regard upon afflictions to which we know that the hand of death is about to put an end.
I’m losing my taste for everything, including even my taste for finding everything tasteless.
There is no heresy or no philosophy which is so abhorrent to the church as a human being.
What we call luck is the inner man externalized. We make things happen to us.
Evil is not to be traced back to the individual but to the collective behavior of humanity.
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