We are dust and shadow.

What it means

The moon wanes and comes back, Horace says, but when we go down to the dead, we are only dust and shadow. Spring returns; we do not. Spend your days on what matters.

The source

"We are dust and shadow." Horace said it in Odes 4.7.16. Translated from the original Latin by Spartan Surfers.

"puluis et umbra sumus"

Original Latin, Odes 4.7.16. Text read at thelatinlibrary.com.

Who said it

Horace (65–8 BC). Son of a freed slave who became Rome's finest lyric poet. He gave us carpe diem and the golden mean.

Questions

What does "We are dust and shadow." mean?

The moon wanes and comes back, Horace says, but when we go down to the dead, we are only dust and shadow. Spring returns; we do not. Spend your days on what matters.

Who said "We are dust and shadow."?

Horace (65–8 BC). Source: Odes 4.7.16.

What is the original Latin?

puluis et umbra sumus. Translated from the original Latin by Spartan Surfers.

Is "We are dust and shadow." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"We are dust and shadow." (Horace, Odes 4.7.16, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/we-are-dust-and-shadow