"I believe that time destroys everything. You can take one beautiful apple, red. After a while, it becomes shrivelled and full of worms, just like what happens to us"

Monica Bellucci’s words reflect a profound meditation on impermanence and the inevitable decay brought by time. She uses the imagery of a beautiful, red apple to exemplify how all things, regardless of their initial beauty or vibrancy, are subject to the unrelenting effects of time. The apple, a common symbol of vitality and health, experiences decline as it ages, eventually becoming shriveled and infested with worms. This natural progression from freshness to decay echoes the human experience.

Bellucci’s comparison does not stop at the physical transformation of the apple, she extends the metaphor to people. Just as the apple’s surface beauty fades, so too does human beauty and vigor. Beneath the surface of her observation lies a contemplation of mortality and the transient nature of all living things. Her words invite a sense of humility; no matter how stunning or lively something appears, time will eventually alter it, sometimes in ways that are unpleasant or difficult to accept.

There is a somber, almost fatalistic quality to her statement. She suggests an inevitability to decline, a process that cannot be halted or reversed. Yet, her stark honesty brings an opportunity for reflection on what is truly lasting or meaningful. If time can destroy everything, as she suggests, then perhaps our focus should shift from temporary external qualities toward deeper, more enduring aspects of existence: kindness, wisdom, love, and personal growth.

Ultimately, Bellucci’s reflection is a reminder of the shared human journey. Aging and mortality are universal experiences. By drawing parallels between the apple and ourselves, she casts light on both the fragility and the commonality of our passage through time. Her words encourage acceptance of life’s natural cycles and may even inspire appreciation for the fleeting beauty found in each moment.