"Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening at once"
About this Quote
The intent is slyly calming and deeply neurotic. On the surface, it's a light paradox that makes you nod and smirk. Underneath, it's an admission that simultaneity is terrifying: desire, grief, obligation, mortality - all pressing for attention. Time becomes the thin wall between you and psychic overload. It's not romantic; it's an coping mechanism, a cosmic excuse for why life feels perpetually behind schedule.
Context matters because Allen's films orbit around characters who overthink, catastrophize, and negotiate with meaning like it's a hostile landlord. This line fits that sensibility: it suggests order without promising justice. Nature isn't benevolent; it's merely functional. The humor is a pressure valve, but it also carries a quiet cynicism: the universe doesn't solve your problems, it just staggers them so you can survive them one at a time.
Quote Details
| Topic | Time |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
| Cite |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Allen, Woody. (2026, January 15). Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening at once. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/time-is-natures-way-of-keeping-everything-from-11242/
Chicago Style
Allen, Woody. "Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening at once." FixQuotes. January 15, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/time-is-natures-way-of-keeping-everything-from-11242/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening at once." FixQuotes, 15 Jan. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/time-is-natures-way-of-keeping-everything-from-11242/. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.








