QuoteProject
All is mine but nothing owned, nothing owned for memory, and mine only while I look.
Wislawa Szymborska
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects on the nature of ownership and the transient experience of possessing things in life.

Wislawa Szymborska's quote suggests that true ownership is an illusion; we may feel we possess things, but in reality, they are only ours as long as we are present and aware of them. This implies that our experiences and memories are fleeting, and material possession does not equate to lasting fulfillment or control over our lives.

Themes

OwnershipTransienceExperienceMemoryPhilosophy

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about living in the moment, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of experiences over material possessions.

More from Wislawa Szymborska

All imperfection is easier to tolerate if served up in small doses.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
I started earning a living as a poet rather early on.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
But they know about us, they know, the four corners, and the chairs nearby us. Discerning shadows also know, and even the table keeps quiet.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
I prefer the absurdity of writing poems to the absurdity of not writing poems.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
I've reached the age of self-knowledge, so I don't know anything. People who claim that they know something are responsible for most of the fuss in the world.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
Every beginning is only a sequel, after all, and the book of events is always open halfway through.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead

Similar quotes

Extremes are for us as though they were not, and we are not within their notice. They escape us, or we them. This is our true state; this is what makes us incapable of certain knowledge and of absolute ignorance... This is our natural condition, and yet most contrary to our inclination; we burn with desire to find solid ground and an ultimate sure foundation whereon to build a tower reaching to the Infinite. But our whole groundwork cracks, and the earth opens to abysses.
Blaise PascalRead
The poor of the United States and of the world are your brothers and sisters in Christ. You must never be content to leave them just the crumbs from the feast. You must take of your substance, and not just of your abundance, in order to help them. And you must treat them like guests at your family table.
Pope John Paul IiRead
There is no female mind. The brain is not an organ of sex. As well speak of a female liver.
Charlotte Perkins GilmanRead
And the Raven, never flitting, Still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas Just above my chamber door; And his eyes have all the seeming Of a demon's that is dreaming, And the lamplight o'er him streaming Throws his shadow on the floor, And my soul from out that shadow, That lies floating on the floor, Shall be lifted - nevermore.
Edgar Allan PoeRead
All food is the gift of the gods and has something of the miraculous, the egg no less than the truffle.
Sybille BedfordRead
But if something did happen, it happened. Whether it's right or wrong. I accept everything that happens, and that's how I became the person I am now.
Haruki MurakamiRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Wislawa Szymborska | QuoteProject