Quote by Clifton Fadiman

To divide one's life by years is of course to tumble into a trap set by our own arithmetic. The calendar consents to carry on its dull wall-existence by the arbitrary timetables we have drawn up in consultation with those permanent commuters, Earth and Sun. But we, unlike trees, need grow no annual rings.

To divide one's life by years is of course to tumble into a

Summary

This quote suggests that dividing one's life into years based on the calendar is a trap dictated by our own human-made system. The author argues that while the calendar functions according to the fixed rotations of the Earth and Sun, humans are not bound by the same linear perception of time. Unlike trees whose age can be determined by annual rings, humans should not limit themselves to the arbitrary divisions of time; they are not restricted by this notion and can live freely without being confined to an artificial timeline.

Topics

Birthdays

By Clifton Fadiman

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