And enough for me that when my hand touched your shoulder, you leaned on me; and when you felt me slip away, you called my name.
Orson Scott CardRead
You frighten me, when you say there isn't time." "I don't see why. Christians have been expecting the imminent end of the world for millennia." "But it keeps not ending." "So far, so good.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the human tendency to fear the unknown and the paradox of anticipating the end of the world without it actually arriving.
In this exchange, the speakers discuss the fear associated with the idea of time running out, especially concerning existential beliefs about the impending end of the world. The dialogue highlights the irony of humanity's long-standing expectation of an apocalypse, which has not materialized, suggesting that despite ongoing fears and anxieties, life continues and there is much to value in the present.
Themes
FearTimeExistenceApocalypseContinuation
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about existential philosophy during a university lecture.
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The lives of all people flow through time, and, regardless of how brutal one moment may be, how filled with grief or pain or fear, time flows through all lives equally.
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You take a step, then another. That's the journey. But to take a step with your eyes open is not a journey at all, it's a remaking of your own mind.
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I've had your tears with mine, and you've had mine with yours. I think that's more intimate even than a kiss.
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