This observation reflects on the dual nature of time: it inevitably brings decay and loss, but also creates opportunities for fresh beginnings and new successes. It's a cyclical view of fortune, where destruction paves the way for renewal.
Quote by Mustafa Safi al-Din al-Tughra'i: “Time, the destroyer of all things, yet builder of new fortunes.”
Time, the destroyer of all things, yet builder of new fortunes.
Insight
Historical Context
Al-Tughra'i composed his famous ode after experiencing a significant fall from political grace, losing his position and wealth. This personal experience profoundly influenced his reflections on the unpredictable nature of fate and time.
About the Author
Arab poet and alchemist born in 1061 CE in Isfahan, best known for his celebrated ode Lamiyyat al-Ajam, a poem of exile and endurance that became one of the most widely memorised Arabic poems of the medieval period. He served as a court official before being executed on political charges.
View all quotes by Mustafa Safi al-Din al-Tughra'i