There’s a certain kind of silence that falls over us in life—not the peaceful kind, but the one that comes after a heartbreak, during a loss, or in the middle of a long, uncertain night. It’s in that silence that many of us hear, sometimes for the first time, the quiet whisper:
“This too shall pass.”
At first, it sounds simple—maybe even dismissive. But the more you sit with it, the more these four words start to feel like a gentle hand on your shoulder. Not a promise of things going back to the way they were, but a deep, ancient reminder: You won’t stay here forever.
Let’s unpack why this quote resonates so deeply, why it’s searched, shared, written on post-its, whispered through tears, and carried close to the heart by people all over the world.
What It Really Means
“This too shall pass” doesn’t promise sunshine or success. It doesn’t deny your pain or pretend everything is okay. What it offers is something quieter, but even more powerful: the truth of impermanence.
Whatever you’re feeling now—no matter how overwhelming—it’s temporary.
Not in a way that invalidates it, but in a way that offers hope. That heaviness in your chest? That uncertainty in your mind? That heartbreak in your soul? It won’t last forever.
Even joy, strangely enough, is fleeting. Which is why this phrase reminds us not just to hold on during the bad times—but to cherish the good times, too.
When People Search This Phrase
Think about when someone types “This too shall pass quote” into Google. It’s not on a random afternoon during a scroll through Pinterest. It’s usually at 2 AM when sleep won’t come. Or during a lunch break after a panic attack. Or in a hospital waiting room. Or right after reading a message that ends something important.
People search this phrase when they’re looking for:
- Hope
- Relief
- A sign
- Something to hold onto
They’re not looking for empty motivation. They’re looking for truth. And that’s what this phrase offers.
A Quote That Lives in Real Life
We don’t just hear “this too shall pass” in books or movies. We hear it in real conversations, often in the moments we least expect it.
- From a friend who notices you haven’t smiled in days
- From a mother who’s seen more storms than she can count
- From a stranger’s comment online that somehow hits the exact chord you needed
- From the small voice in your own heart, trying to remind you that you’ve survived worse
I remember once, years ago, sitting in the backseat of a car after hearing news that shattered me. I didn’t cry right away. I just stared out the window, numb. My best friend, sitting in the passenger seat, didn’t say much. She just turned around, looked me in the eye, and said:
“I know it feels like the world stopped. But it didn’t. And it won’t. You’re still in it. And this… this too shall pass.”
That sentence didn’t fix my pain. But it gave me something else: permission to feel, and the courage to believe in the next moment.
It’s Not Just About Pain—It’s About Everything
There’s a strange beauty in realizing that even joy doesn’t last forever. That sounds sad at first—but stay with me.
When you know joy is temporary, you hold it more dearly. You linger a little longer during laughter. You hug tighter. You look up at the sky with a bit more wonder. You appreciate the warm cup of coffee, the sound of someone’s voice, the softness of a blanket, the peace of a quiet evening.
“This too shall pass” teaches us to be fully present, no matter what’s happening.
Because the truth is, nothing stays the same. And that’s not always a bad thing.
The Phrase That Crosses Borders and Beliefs
Across cultures, religions, and philosophies, there’s a shared understanding of impermanence. You’ll find different versions of this idea everywhere:
In Buddhism, it’s the concept of anicca—the impermanence of all things
In Christianity, it’s echoed in verses like “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning”
In Stoic philosophy, Marcus Aurelius often reminded himself that life’s challenges were temporary visitors
In poetry, in song lyrics, in lullabies—this message shows up again and again
We don’t have to be scholars or saints to understand it. We just have to live—to experience change, and loss, and love, and growth. That’s enough to know the truth of these words.
Why We Hold Onto These Words
Because sometimes, we don’t need a solution. We don’t need a fix. We just need hope.
These words don’t tell you what to do. They don’t demand anything from you. They don’t try to erase your pain.
They simply remind you that this moment, this chapter, this ache… is not forever.
In the Middle of the Storm
If you’re reading this right now because you’re going through something—whether it’s heartbreak, loss, depression, anxiety, or just a general heaviness—you need to hear this:
You are not weak for feeling what you feel.
You are not alone in what you’re facing.
And most importantly, this won’t last forever.
Even if you can’t see the light yet, that doesn’t mean it’s not coming.
Even if you’re still in the middle of the storm, that doesn’t mean it won’t pass.
Even if everything feels wrong, that doesn’t mean nothing will ever feel right again.
This too shall pass. Hold onto that.
Let It Be Your Anchor and Your Wings
Sometimes we just need something to ground us. Other times, we need something to help us fly. Somehow, this phrase does both.
In your hardest seasons, let it be the anchor that keeps you from drifting into despair.
In your most joyful moments, let it be the gentle whisper that reminds you to soak it all in.
One Last Thought
Life doesn’t come with a map. There are no perfect words that make it all okay. But sometimes, four simple words are enough to carry you through:
This too shall pass.
And when it does, you’ll be different. Stronger. Softer. Wiser. More alive.
So hold on, friend. The story isn’t over yet.
