When the palace is magnificent, the fields are filled with weeds, and the granaries are empty.
LaoziRead
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
What this quote means
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.
Themes
LifeTimeHopeMortalityExistence
In practice
Example use cases
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.
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