Meaning & Analysis
After all human actions and events have concluded, the ultimate reality of God's existence and authority remains as the final arbiter or truth.
Insights
Ultimate Accountability
The proverb serves as a powerful reminder of ultimate accountability. It suggests that regardless of one's actions or station in life, a final divine judgment awaits, framing life as a prelude to a final moral evaluation.
A Source of Hope
For those facing injustice or despair, the proverb offers a profound source of hope. It implies that even if justice is not found in the mortal world, a higher power will ensure a final, equitable resolution.
Warning Against Hubris
The saying acts as a caution against human pride or hubris. It asserts that human plans and power are finite and that the final outcome of all endeavors rests with a higher, divine authority.
Divine Sovereignty
It reflects a belief in divine sovereignty, suggesting that God's plan and presence underlie all of reality. Human history unfolds, but the ultimate meaning and conclusion are determined by God.
Theological Finality
Rooted in a theological framework where divine authority is absolute, this proverb reflects the concept of a final judgment. It suggests that human actions and their immediate outcomes are ultimately subordinate to a divine reckoning that occurs 'when all is done'.
Psychological Anchor
The proverb serves as a psychological anchor, offering comfort to the righteous that justice will ultimately prevail, while acting as a moral check on those who might believe their actions have no ultimate consequences. It reinforces a belief in a structured, moral universe.
Human Transience vs. Divine Permanence
This saying contrasts the transient and often chaotic nature of human affairs with the permanence and constancy of the divine. It implies that earthly struggles, successes, and failures are temporary, but the presence of God is the ultimate, enduring reality.
Rhetorical Devices
Declarative Statement
The proverb is a simple, direct statement of faith, presented as an irrefutable fact. Its power comes from its unadorned certainty.
Temporal Contrast
It juxtaposes the finite realm of human activity ('when all is done') with the infinite and eternal presence of God, creating a powerful sense of scale and finality.
Understatement
The phrase 'when all is done' functions as a euphemistic or understated reference to the end of life or the final judgment, adding to its solemn and profound tone.
Transcription
Quotations
Ye there was god (quoth he) whan all is doone.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan

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