Meaning: This thought-provoking quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., an American physician, poet, and professor, uses the metaphor of a clock to convey the finite nature of human life and the inevitability of death. The quote suggests that our brains, like a clock, have a predetermined lifespan, which is set in motion at birth and eventually comes to a stop. The imagery of the "Angel of Life" winding up the clock of our brains and then passing the key to the "Angel of the Resurrection" conveys the idea that our lives are ultimately in the hands of a higher power, and that death is not the end but rather a transition to another state of being.

The metaphor of the clock as a symbol of human life is a powerful and timeless one. It encapsulates the idea that our time on earth is limited and that we are all subject to the passage of time and the ultimate fate of mortality. The concept of life as a winding clock also implies a sense of predestination and inevitability, as if our lives are predetermined and set in motion from the moment we are born.

The reference to the "Angel of the Resurrection" further adds a spiritual and religious dimension to the quote. It suggests that there is a divine or supernatural force that holds the key to our fate beyond this earthly life. The use of the term "resurrection" implies the belief in an afterlife or a continuation of existence beyond death, which is a central tenet in many religious and spiritual traditions.

Holmes' quote can be interpreted in various ways, depending on one's personal beliefs and worldview. For some, it may evoke a sense of resignation to the inevitability of death and the idea that our lives are ultimately in the hands of a higher power. For others, it may serve as a reminder to make the most of the time we have and to live with a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

From a philosophical perspective, the quote raises questions about the nature of time, mortality, and the human experience. It invites contemplation on the meaning of life and the mysteries of existence. The imagery of the winding clock and the handing over of the key to the Angel of the Resurrection can be seen as a metaphor for the cycle of life and death, and the eternal nature of the human spirit.

In conclusion, Oliver Wendell Holmes' quote about our brains being like seventy-year clocks, wound up by the Angel of Life and then handed over to the Angel of the Resurrection, is a poignant and thought-provoking reflection on the finite nature of human life and the mysteries of existence. It invites contemplation on the passage of time, mortality, and the spiritual dimensions of our lives. Whether viewed from a religious, philosophical, or personal perspective, the quote serves as a reminder to ponder the fleeting nature of our time on earth and the potential for transcendent meaning beyond the confines of our mortal existence.