Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

ars longa, vita brevis

Proverb

/ɑːrz ˈlɒŋɡə, ˈvaɪtə ˈbrɛvɪs/

Definition

Art is long, life is short.

Examples

“As the saying goes, ‘ars longa, vita brevis,’ so keep honing your craft.”
“The artist reflected on how ‘ars longa, vita brevis’ motivates him to create as much as possible in his lifetime.”
“In her speech, she quoted ‘ars longa, vita brevis’ to emphasize the importance of leaving a lasting legacy through art.”

Meaning

This phrase suggests that the practice of art is a long and enduring process, while human life is brief and fleeting. It implies that while artistic creation takes time and dedication, our lives are too short to fully appreciate or realize the potential of that art.