“Like as the waves make towards the pebbl’d shore, so do our minutes, hasten to their end.”
- April 26, 1564 – April 23, 1616
- Born in England
- Playwright, poet, actor
- Wrote many masterpieces such as “Hamlet,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Macbeth,” and had a great influence on English literature
Quote
“Like as the waves make towards the pebbl’d shore, so do our minutes, hasten to their end.”
Explanation
This quote from Shakespeare’s The Tempest uses a metaphor to convey the inevitable passage of time. “Like as the waves make towards the pebbl’d shore” compares the relentless movement of time to the waves continually reaching the shore. The waves, no matter how small or large, are constantly moving forward, just as our minutes pass swiftly toward their end, whether we are aware of it or not. The idea is that time, like the waves, is always in motion, never stopping and always moving toward its inevitable conclusion, much like the end of each day or the end of life itself.
In modern life, this quote resonates with the constant forward momentum of time. In a world where people are often caught up in busy schedules, the passage of time can seem unnoticed until a moment of reflection. The comparison to waves emphasizes the natural, unstoppable nature of time. Just as waves inevitably reach the shore, every moment or minute moves us closer to the future, making it crucial to appreciate the present and live intentionally.
This quote also serves as a reminder of life’s brevity. The comparison of time to waves approaching the shore is a powerful image of the impermanence of life, urging individuals to make the most of their time before it is gone. It suggests that, just as the waves eventually recede, so too do our moments and opportunities, reminding us to live with purpose and to appreciate every passing minute before it fades into the past.
