"Beauty is a precious trace that eternity causes to appear to us and that it takes away from us. A manifestation of eternity, and a sign of death as well"
- Eugene Ionesco
About this Quote
This quote by Eugene Ionesco speaks to the fleeting nature of beauty. He suggests that elegance is a trace of infinity, a symptom of something that is past our understanding. It is a reminder of the brevity of life, and also a sign of fatality. Elegance is a tip that life is limited, which we should value it while we can. Ionesco's quote encourages us to take the time to appreciate elegance, to appreciate it while it is below, and also to recognize that it will become taken away. He advises us that elegance is a present, and that we ought to be grateful for it while it is below. We must take the time to value the beauty in life, and to recognize that it is a precious reminder of infinity.
"One has children in the expectation of dying before them. In fact, you want to make damn sure you die before them, just as you plant a tree or build a house knowing, hoping that it will outlive you. That's how the human species has done as well as it has"