“This too shall pass” is one of those short sayings that feels simple at first, but the longer you sit with it, the deeper it becomes. It is often repeated during painful seasons, uncertain days, heartbreak, grief, stress, or personal change. But its meaning is not only about surviving difficult moments. It is also a quiet reminder that every season of life is temporary.
What Does “This Too Shall Pass” Mean?
“This too shall pass” means that nothing in life lasts forever. Pain changes. Worry softens. Hard seasons eventually shift. Even moments that feel overwhelming today may look different with time, patience, and perspective.
At its heart, the phrase is about impermanence. It reminds us not to treat temporary pain as if it is permanent. When you are in the middle of a difficult season, it can feel like things will always be this heavy. But life keeps moving. Feelings change. Circumstances change. People heal, grow, and begin again.
The saying does not mean your pain is small. It does not dismiss what you are going through. Instead, it offers comfort by saying, “This moment is real, but it is not the whole story.”
Where Did “This Too Shall Pass” Come From?
The phrase is often connected to an old Persian adage about a king who asked wise men for a sentence that would be true in both good times and bad. Their answer was, “This too shall pass.” The story has been retold in different traditions and is sometimes associated with King Solomon, though it is not actually a Bible verse.
Abraham Lincoln also referred to a similar version of the saying in an 1859 speech before the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society. He described it as a sentence that could be both “chastening in the hour of pride” and “consoling in the depths of affliction.”
That is part of what makes the phrase so powerful. It does not only comfort us when life is hard. It also humbles us when life is going well.
Why This Quote Comforts Us During Hard Times
When life feels painful, “This too shall pass” gives us something steady to hold onto. It reminds us that sadness, fear, embarrassment, disappointment, and uncertainty are not permanent homes. They are seasons.
Maybe you are grieving a loss. Maybe you are waiting for an answer. Maybe you are dealing with anxiety, family problems, financial pressure, or a season where nothing feels clear. In those moments, the phrase does not magically fix everything. But it can help you breathe.
It gently tells you that you do not have to solve your whole life today. You only have to keep going through this moment.
Some days, hope does not arrive loudly. Sometimes it sounds like a quiet sentence repeated under your breath: this too shall pass.
It Also Reminds Us Not to Cling Too Tightly to Good Seasons
Most people use this quote when they are hurting, but its wisdom also applies when life is beautiful.
Joyful seasons pass too. Children grow. Friendships change. Holidays end. Success rises and falls. The good moments we wish we could freeze are also temporary.
That does not make them less meaningful. It makes them more precious.
“This too shall pass” teaches us to be present. When life is good, it reminds us to pay attention. Take the photo. Say thank you. Enjoy the laughter. Notice the small blessing while it is still in front of you.
The phrase is not meant to make us sad about change. It teaches us to treasure what we have without pretending we can keep everything forever.
What This Quote Teaches About Perspective
One reason “This too shall pass” has lasted so long is because it gives perspective. It takes a moment that feels enormous and places it inside a larger story.
That problem you are facing may be painful, but it is not the end of your life. That mistake may be embarrassing, but it does not define your entire character. That season may be heavy, but it is still only a season.
Perspective does not remove pain, but it can reduce panic. It helps us remember that emotions are not always reliable narrators. Just because something feels endless does not mean it is.
This is why the quote is so helpful in moments of stress. It gives the heart a little space. It reminds us that today is not forever.
How to Use “This Too Shall Pass” in Daily Life
You can use this phrase as a simple grounding reminder when life feels overwhelming.
Say it when you are anxious and need to breathe. Write it in a journal when you are working through a difficult season. Save it as a phone wallpaper. Repeat it before making a decision from fear or frustration.
You can also use it during happy moments. Let it remind you to slow down and be grateful. Not every season needs to be rushed through. Some are meant to be noticed, enjoyed, and remembered.
If you enjoy thoughtful reflections like this, you may also like our collection of inspiring book quotes about life for more timeless reminders about growth and hope.
Final Thoughts
“This too shall pass” is not just a phrase for hard times. It is a phrase for being human.
It reminds us that pain will not last forever, but neither will the moments we love. It teaches us to endure difficulty with hope and receive joy with gratitude. It tells us to hold life gently because everything changes.
So if you are walking through a hard season, let this be your reminder: what you feel today is real, but it is not permanent. The heaviness can shift. The storm can quiet. The chapter can turn.
This too shall pass.
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