Meaning: The quote "It takes time for the absent to assume their true shape in our thoughts. After death they take on a firmer outline and then cease to change" by Colley Cibber, a playwright, reflects the human experience of processing loss and the evolution of memory and perception over time. The quote suggests that when someone is physically absent from our lives, it takes time for our thoughts and memories of them to solidify and become more defined. However, after their passing, their presence in our minds becomes fixed and unchanging.

The first part of the quote, "It takes time for the absent to assume their true shape in our thoughts," acknowledges the gradual nature of how we remember and understand the people who are no longer present in our lives. When someone is no longer physically with us, our memories of them may be fragmented or unclear, and it can take time for those memories to coalesce into a clearer and more stable image of the person. This process of mental reconstruction is a natural part of the grieving and healing process, as we come to terms with the absence of the person and begin to understand their place in our memories and lives.

The second part of the quote, "After death they take on a firmer outline and then cease to change," delves into the idea that once someone has passed away, our perceptions of them become more fixed and unchanging. This may be due to the finality of death, which solidifies our memories and impressions of the person. In death, the individual's essence and impact on our lives are no longer subject to change, and they become a permanent presence in our thoughts and memories.

Colley Cibber's insight speaks to the universal experience of grappling with loss and the evolution of our emotional and mental connection to those who are no longer with us. It captures the idea that our understanding of the absent evolves over time, with their presence in our thoughts gradually becoming more defined and ultimately unchanging after their passing.

This quote may resonate with individuals who have experienced loss, as it offers a perspective on the complexities of grief and the enduring nature of memory. It acknowledges the transformative power of time in shaping our perceptions and understanding of the people we have lost, highlighting the ongoing process of coming to terms with their absence and integrating their presence into our memories.

In conclusion, Colley Cibber's quote encapsulates the profound and evolving nature of our thoughts and memories of the absent, particularly after their passing. It offers a poignant reflection on the ways in which our perceptions of those who are no longer with us take shape and solidify over time, ultimately becoming a lasting and unchanging part of our inner landscape.