Years, following years, steal something every day; at last they steal us from ourselves away

Years, following years, steal something every day; at last they steal us from ourselves away

The quote "Years, following years, steal something every day; at last they steal us from ourselves away" is a poignant reflection on the passage of time and its impact on our lives. This sentiment is particularly relevant in the context of the Roman poet Horace, whose works often explore themes of mortality, the fleeting nature of life, and the inevitability of aging.

Horace, born Quintus Horatius Flaccus in 65 BC, was a prominent figure in Roman literature and is best known for his odes, satires, and epistles. Throughout his works, Horace grapples with the idea of time and its effects on the human experience. He frequently emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and making the most of the time we have, as he recognizes that time is a precious and finite resource that cannot be reclaimed once it has passed.

In the quote "Years, following years, steal something every day; at last they steal us from ourselves away," Horace captures the gradual erosion of our identities and selves as we age. With each passing year, we lose a little piece of ourselves, whether it be our physical vitality, our mental acuity, or our sense of purpose. Time has a way of wearing us down, of chipping away at our essence until we are left a mere shadow of our former selves.

For Horace, this process of gradual decay serves as a reminder of the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death. He urges his readers to seize the day, to make the most of the time they have, and to live fully in the present moment. By embracing the fleeting nature of life and accepting our own mortality, we can find a sense of peace and fulfillment in the face of the inevitable passage of time.