The meaning of This too shall pass

One of my favorite proverbs is “This too shall pass.” With origins in Persian poetry and Jewish folklore, the proverb has also been seen in the poetry of Edward Fitzgerald and was used in a speech by US President Abraham Lincoln. Having been around for hundreds of years, the proverb is now etched in many people’s minds.

The origins of the proverb come from the fables of a king who seeks to be humbled. In the Hebrew version, King Solomon searches for a ring that will make happy people sad and sad people happy. In both cases, the king is presented with a ring engraved with the phrase “This too shall pass.”

The phrase is beautiful for its simplicity and yet for its incredible complexity. Only four words long, the proverb is short, and yet it packs a lot of weight. No matter what your situation in life is, eventually things will change and everything will end.

Looking at the proverb from the context of each point in a person’s life, it is easy to see the full effect. No matter what situation you find yourself in, eventually you will die and everything will cease to be. At the same time, every emotion you currently feel is only temporary, and eventually new events will appear in your life and change those feelings.

Overall, it’s a tremendous proverb and it’s no wonder it’s continued for so many years. Even looking at our economic downturn today, it should warm some people’s hearts to know that this too shall pass.