A wide wreath of dried purple thistles surrounds a small ring of golden glass marbles on a sage-green background.

Original artwork, not a still

Anne Swetchine

As we advance in life the circle of our pains enlarges, while that of our pleasures contracts.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The quotation pictures aging through two circles: pain spreading outward while pleasure draws inward. That bleak contrast gives its view of later life a simple shape, suggesting that accumulated difficulties can take up more room while sources of enjoyment seem to diminish.

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