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Nothing recedes like progress.
E. E. Cummings
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Progress can often feel like it slips away from us despite our efforts.

E. E. Cummings' quote suggests that as we make advancements or improvements in our lives or society, there is a tendency for those very accomplishments to seem elusive or temporary. It evokes the idea that despite the efforts and strides we make, the perception of progress can fade, highlighting the complexities of advancement and the challenges of sustaining it.

Themes

ProgressChangeIllusionEffortAdvancement

In practice

Example use cases

In a presentation about the challenges of innovation, you might use this quote to illustrate the fleeting nature of perceived success.

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