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All Kings, and all their favorites, All glory of honors, beauties, wits The sun itself, which makes times, as they pass, Is elder by a year, now, than it was When thou and I first one another saw: All other things, to their destruction draw, Only our love hath no decay; This, no tomorrow hath, nor yesterday, Running, it never runs from us away, But truly keeps his first, last, everlasting day.

John Donne#25

LoveFaithTimeEternityImmortalityCommitment

About this quote

What does it mean?
All earthly things decay over time but true love remains unchanged and eternal.
In plain terms
Everything ages and fades except lasting love.
What can you take from it?
Love can outlast the aging of everything else.

Where it applies

  • wedding vows
  • comforting the bereaved
  • reflecting on aging

Putting it to work

  • celebrate enduring bonds
  • reassure partners
  • write commitment letters

Questions to consider

  • Can love really stay the same forever?
  • How do you measure lasting love?

Another view

It presents an idealized view that contradicts how relationships often change.

More from John Donne

  1. 'Tis true, 'tis day; what though it be? O wilt thou therefore rise from me? Why should we rise, because 'tis light? Did we lie down, because 'twas night? Love …

    Permalink to quote #24
  2. Send home my long strayed eyes to me, Which (Oh) too long have dwelt on thee.

    Permalink to quote #26
  3. Twice and thrice had I loved thee, Before I knew thy face or name.

    Permalink to quote #23

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