The grass withers, the flower fades
Meaning: All worldly things are temporary.
Origin: From Isaiah 40:8: "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." The verse, quoted again in the First Epistle of Peter, contrasts passing human glory with lasting divine truth. Brahms set Peter's version in the second movement of his German Requiem.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, Japanese, and German
- French: L'herbe se fane et la fleur tombe (literally: The grass withers and the flower falls)
- Spanish: La hierba se seca y la flor se marchita (literally: The grass dries and the flower withers)
- Japanese: 諸行無常 (Shogyō mujō) (literally: All things are impermanent)
- German: Das Gras verdorrt, die Blume verwelkt (literally: The grass withers, the flower wilts)
More proverbs about Wisdom
- First come, first served — Opportunities go to those who arrive early.
- A fool and his money are soon parted — Foolish people quickly lose their wealth.
- The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago; the second best time is now — The right time to act is always now, no matter how late it feels.
- To know the road ahead, ask those coming back — Learn from people with experience before embarking on an unfamiliar path.
- The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists — Flexibility and adaptability are greater strengths than rigid resistance.
- When the student is ready, the teacher will appear — Learning happens when one is truly open and prepared to receive knowledge.
From our compliments & insults
- Tu déchires — You're awesome — you totally rock.
- Eres un sol — You're a lovely, warm-hearted person.
- Eres más bueno que el pan — You are a genuinely good, kind soul.