Every wave, regardless of how high and forceful it crests, must eventually collapse within itself.

Meaning of the quote

The quote suggests that everything, no matter how powerful or impressive it may seem, will eventually come to an end. Just like a wave in the ocean, which rises high and crashes with great force, everything has a limit to its strength and will eventually fall back down. This is a reminder that nothing lasts forever, and we should appreciate the moments we have, even if they are temporary.

About Stefan Zweig

Stefan Zweig was an Austrian writer who reached the height of his literary career in the 1920s and 1930s, becoming one of the most widely translated and popular writers in the world. He wrote historical studies, biographies, and acclaimed fiction works, before ultimately taking his own life in 1942 as a result of his disillusionment with the state of Europe.

More about the author

More quotes from Stefan Zweig

Often the presence of mind and energy of a person remote from the spotlight decide the course of history for centuries to come.

Stefan Zweig

Austrian writer (1881-1942)

One must be convinced to convince, to have enthusiasm to stimulate the others.

Stefan Zweig

Austrian writer (1881-1942)

In history, the moments during which reason and reconciliation prevail are short and fleeting.

Stefan Zweig

Austrian writer (1881-1942)

Every wave, regardless of how high and forceful it crests, must eventually collapse within itself.

Stefan Zweig

Austrian writer (1881-1942)

Fate is never too generous even to its favorites. Rarely do the gods grant a mortal more than one immortal deed.

Stefan Zweig

Austrian writer (1881-1942)

The idea of Jewish unity, of a plan, an organization, unfortunately exists only in the brains of Hitler and Streicher.

Stefan Zweig

Austrian writer (1881-1942)

Today, for a Jew who writes in the German language, it is totally impossible to make a living. In no group do I see as much misery, disappointment, desperation and hopelessness as in Jewish writers who write in German.

Stefan Zweig

Austrian writer (1881-1942)

The free, independent spirit who commits himself to no dogma and will not decide in favor of any party has no homestead on earth.

Stefan Zweig

Austrian writer (1881-1942)

Only the person who has experienced light and darkness, war and peace, rise and fall, only that person has truly experienced life.

Stefan Zweig

Austrian writer (1881-1942)

Only the misfortune of exile can provide the in-depth understanding and the overview into the realities of the world.

Stefan Zweig

Austrian writer (1881-1942)

When they are preparing for war, those who rule by force speak most copiously about peace until they have completed the mobilization process.

Stefan Zweig

Austrian writer (1881-1942)

Never can the innate power of a work be hidden or locked away. A work of art can be forgotten by time; it can be forbidden and rejected but the elemental will always prevail over the ephemeral.

Stefan Zweig

Austrian writer (1881-1942)

In history as in human life, regret does not bring back a lost moment and a thousand years will not recover something lost in a single hour.

Stefan Zweig

Austrian writer (1881-1942)

It would be foolhardy to count on the conscience of the world.

Stefan Zweig

Austrian writer (1881-1942)

There is no sense to a sacrifice after you come to feel that it is a sacrifice.

Stefan Zweig

Austrian writer (1881-1942)

Now I am discovering the world once more. England has widened my horizon.

Stefan Zweig

Austrian writer (1881-1942)