"They that have lived a single day have lived an age"
- Jean de la Bruyere
About this Quote
Jean de la Bruyère's quote, "They that have lived a single day have actually lived an age," invites us to think about the depth and richness encapsulated within a single day of human experience. It suggests that even within the confines of a restricted timeframe, the essence of a life time can be perceived. This viewpoint shifts the conventional understanding of time, where age is normally measured in years. Rather, de la Bruyère encourages us to consider the qualitative instead of the quantitative aspects of living.
On a fundamental level, each day presents a microcosm of life's journey. In one day, we come across a spectrum of feelings, obstacles, and discoveries. It is possible to experience the full variety of human emotions-- delight, sadness, love, loss, hope, and anguish-- within the period of 24 hours. This compression of experiences can mirror a life time, recommending that the value of life is not necessarily in its period however in the intensity and credibility of the experiences and insights we get.
Furthermore, the quote can be viewed as a motivation to live completely and mindfully. By suggesting that a single day embodies an age, de la Bruyère highlights the value of existing and attentive to the minutes that make up our days. When we concentrate on today, we are most likely to appreciate the subtleties and complexities of our experiences, supplying a richer and fuller life experience.
Philosophically, the quote challenges our understandings of time and existence. It reminds us that our lives can feel extensive and fulfilling, no matter their real length. This idea resonates with the notion that the quality of our experiences is more considerable than their amount. By welcoming every day as if it were a life time, we may cultivate appreciation and existence, discovering meaning in the everyday.
In essence, de la Bruyère's words act as a profound tip to live with intentionality and gratitude, acknowledging the boundless possible contained within each waking day.
"My sorrow, when she's here with me, thinks these dark days of autumn rain are beautiful as days can be; she loves the bare, the withered tree; she walks the sodden pasture lane"
"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time"
"Night, the beloved. Night, when words fade and things come alive. When the destructive analysis of day is done, and all that is truly important becomes whole and sound again. When man reassembles his fragmentary self and grows with the calm of a tree"
"I seemed to vow to myself that some day I would go to the region of ice and snow and go on and on till I came to one of the poles of the earth, the end of the axis upon which this great round ball turns"
