Forget thyself to marble.
What's the meaning of this quote?
Quote Meaning: The quote “Forget thyself to marble” invites us to transcend our own egos and desires, suggesting a profound level of self-abnegation akin to the permanence and stillness of marble. To understand this quote deeply, imagine marble—an enduring, unchanging material that has been used for centuries in statues, buildings, and monuments. Marble represents something that is timeless, stable, and unperturbed by the flow of daily life.
When we are asked to "forget thyself," it is a call to move beyond the personal, transient concerns and preoccupations that often dominate our lives. These concerns are the constant chatter of our individual minds, full of worries, desires, and insecurities. To forget oneself in this context means to let go of these fleeting, self-centered thoughts and to embrace a state of calm, detachment, and objectivity.
Marble, as a metaphor, symbolizes a state of being where one is no longer swayed by the trivialities of personal ambition or emotional turbulence. Just as marble remains unblemished and impervious to the passage of time, forgetting oneself to marble suggests achieving a level of inner peace and stability that is unaffected by external pressures. It’s about achieving a state where one can stand firm and resolute, much like a marble statue, which remains a testament to enduring values and ideals.
In practical terms, this could be interpreted as a call to focus on higher, more universal values and contributions rather than individual gains or losses. It encourages an approach to life where one's actions and thoughts align with something greater than personal self-interest, much like how marble statues often embody noble ideals or commemorate significant achievements beyond the self.
Ultimately, “forget thyself to marble” challenges us to aspire to a state of being where our sense of self is not consumed by the momentary and the mundane, but rather aligned with enduring principles and a timeless perspective. It’s an invitation to cultivate a sense of permanence and purpose that goes beyond the fleeting nature of personal concerns, embracing a more profound, lasting essence.
Who said the quote?
The quote "Forget thyself to marble." is often attributed to John Milton (Quotes). John Milton, a major English poet, wrote epic works like "Paradise Lost," exploring themes of human nature and morality.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
