This too shall pass ➡️⏳☁️☀️
Meaning
Difficult or pleasant times are temporary and will eventually end.
Origin
The phrase's modern English form gained significant traction from a story attributed to the Persian poet Omar Khayyam. In this tale, a king asks his wise men for a phrase that would be true in both good times and bad. After much deliberation, they present him with the inscription 'This too shall pass.' The subtle yet profound wisdom of this short sentence resonated deeply, offering solace and perspective. It became a powerful reminder that joy is fleeting and sorrow is not eternal, a timeless message that continues to comfort and guide people through life's inevitable ups and downs.
This too shall pass represented with emoji➡️⏳☁️☀️
This playful sequence elegantly captures the ephemeral nature of existence. The arrow points onward, a gentle reminder that time marches forward, while the hourglass and clouds emphasize that all states, whether bright and sunny or fleeting, are temporary. It serves as a cheerful, visual proverb, teaching the viewer not just the impermanence of the moment, but the boundless potential of what lies beyond the ever-shifting horizon.
Examples
- When I was feeling overwhelmed with work, my grandmother reminded me that this too shall pass.
- Even though the rain is pouring down today, we know this too shall pass and the sun will shine again.
- This too shall pass, like a fleeting dream or a grumpy badger after a good nap.
- Don't worry too much about the spilled glitter; like a particularly sparkly sneeze, this too shall pass.
Frequently asked questions
While often used idiomatically, 'this too shall pass' functions more as a proverb because it conveys a general truth or piece of advice derived from experience. Its wisdom is often applied metaphorically to life's situations.
The conceptual opposite of 'this too shall pass' would be a sentiment suggesting permanence or an unchanging state, such as 'this will last forever' or 'this is the new normal'. These phrases deny the impermanence that the original expresses.
Yes, 'this too shall pass' is explicitly meant to apply to both positive and negative situations. The original story highlights its truth in good times (joy is fleeting) as well as bad (sorrow is not eternal).
The core message of 'this too shall pass' is that neither hardship nor happiness endures indefinitely, offering perspective and encouraging resilience or appreciation. It advises acceptance of life's transient nature.