Quote by Robert Francis Kennedy
Goethe tells us in his greatest poem that Faust lost the liberty of his soul when he said to the passing moment, 'Stay, thou art so fair.'
Summary
This quote by Goethe highlights a crucial mistake made by the protagonist, Faust, in his pursuit of happiness and fulfillment. When Faust impulsively asks the fleeting moment to linger because of its exquisite beauty, he inadvertently forfeits the freedom of his soul. This serves as a cautionary reminder that excessive attachment to transitory pleasures can lead to a loss of one's deeper essence and the potential for true liberation. Faust's encounter serves as a reflection on the dangers of grasping onto fleeting moments rather than embracing the present and seeking true meaning and fulfillment in life.