Famous quote by e. e. cummings

"Nothing recedes like progress"

About this Quote

E. E. Cummings’ phrase, “Nothing recedes like progress,” captures a paradox embedded in the very fabric of human advancement. At first glance, the statement appears contradictory, progress is typically associated with forward movement, innovation, and improvement. Yet here, progress is described as something that falls away, retreats, or vanishes faster than anything else.

The underlying irony is a commentary on the fleeting nature of societal advancements. When a society achieves a breakthrough or milestone, there is often an initial surge of enthusiasm; however, these gains can quickly erode or diminish. What once seemed monumental soon becomes ordinary, taken for granted, or, in some cases, actively undone by shifting social, political, or technological winds. For example, landmark moments of social justice or scientific achievement may be celebrated, only to experience backlash, neglect, or reversal in later years.

Cummings’ observation suggests that progress lacks permanence. The collective memory is short, and society tends to slide back into complacency or even regression. Achievements are rarely, if ever, secure. The notion also gestures toward the cycles of history, where progress is followed by periods of stagnation or retreat, illustrating the difficulty in maintaining positive change. The phrase calls attention to the need for vigilance and sustained effort; without continual engagement, the hard-won advances risk dissipating as quickly as they appeared.

Furthermore, implicit in the phrase is skepticism toward narratives of linear improvement. Cummings hints that each new era of advancement carries the seeds of its own obsolescence, with the promise of progress frequently receding as reality fails to live up to aspirations. The brevity and wit of the statement leave a lingering sense of unease about how real and robust any step forward truly is, serving both as a caution and as an invitation to critically examine our collective journey.

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About the Author

USA Flag This quote is written / told by e. e. cummings between October 14, 1894 and September 3, 1962. He/she was a famous Poet from USA. The author also have 28 other quotes.
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