“Each thing by Destiny
So hastens to grow worse, and backward goes;
As one against a stream his Vessel rowes,
Who if by chance his arm a little slack,
The Boat in the swift Chanel hurries back.”
The Works of Publius Virgilius Maro (2nd ed. 1654), Virgil's Georgicks
Help us to complete the source, original and additional information
John Ogilby121
Scottish academic 1600–1676Related quotes
F. Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby
Variant: It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.... And then one fine morning—
So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.
Source: The Great Gatsby
Haruki Murakami book South of the Border, West of the Sun
Variant: Hajime," she began, "the sad truth is that some things can't go backwards. Once they start going forward, no matter what you do, they can't go back to the way they were. If one little thing goes awry, then that's how it will stay forever.
Source: South of the Border, West of the Sun
Cesare Pavese (1908–1950) Italian poet, novelist, literary critic, and translator
This Business of Living (1935-1950)
Ernest Hemingway book Across the River and into the Trees
Source: Across the River and into the Trees (1950), Ch. 1 (the opening paragraph of the novel)
“Only the guy who isn't rowing has time to rock the boat.”
Jean Paul Sartre (1905–1980) French existentialist philosopher, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, political activist, biographer, and …
“Like watermen, who look astern while they row the boat ahead.”
Plutarch (46–127) ancient Greek historian and philosopher
Whether 't was rightfully said, Live Concealed
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919)
“Counts his sure gains, and hurries back for more.”
James Montgomery (1771–1854) British editor, hymn writer, and poet
The West Indies, Part iii.
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).