Modern science says: 'The sun is the past, the earth is the

"Modern science says: 'The sun is the past, the earth is the present, the moon is the future.' From an incandescent mass we have originated, and into a frozen mass we shall turn. Merciless is the law of nature, and rapidly and irresistibly we are drawn to our doom." These profound words from Nikola Tesla express the sweeping, inevitable march of time, the cosmic laws of nature, and the fate that awaits all things. Tesla, a man of immense scientific vision, saw the world not only through the lens of invention, but also as a witness to the cosmic forces that govern our existence. In this statement, he reflects on the great cycle of creation and destruction, from the fiery birth of the sun to the cold, unyielding end represented by the moon. His words are a meditation on the impermanence of life and the inexorable nature of the universe.

This understanding of the universe as a dynamic and changing entity was not unfamiliar to the ancients. Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher, famously stated that “everything flows”—that all things are in constant flux. His belief that the universe is in a state of perpetual change aligns with Tesla’s thoughts. The sun, which represents the past, is the source of life and warmth, but also of inevitable decay. The earth, where we live in the present, exists in a state of balance, constantly in movement—rotation, seasons, tides—yet forever marked by the gradual decay that the natural world brings. And the moon, cool and distant, symbolizes the future, the point at which all will freeze into stasis, as Tesla envisioned. For the ancients, the celestial bodies were not just physical entities; they were metaphors for life and death, birth and decay.

In this view, Tesla’s words also echo the Stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius, who believed that life is a journey of transience and acceptance. The Stoics understood that everything in the universe—nature, fame, wealth—was subject to the law of change. Nothing in existence was permanent, and the wise person would accept that the ultimate end is not something to be feared, but embraced as part of the natural order. Aurelius wrote, “The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.” In this, we see a harmony between Stoic acceptance of the inevitability of death and Tesla’s acknowledgment that the universe is guided by merciless laws, irresistibly drawing us to our doom.

Consider the example of Herodotus, the ancient historian who observed the rise and fall of civilizations. Herodotus knew that empire and power were as transient as the cycles of nature. The mighty civilizations of the past—Egypt, Babylon, Persia—rose like the sun, bringing light and warmth to the world, only to descend into the cold darkness of time, overtaken by history. Herodotus understood that the fate of these great powers was not an act of will, but the inevitable consequence of the cosmic forces at work. This vision of history mirrors Tesla’s cosmic view—the human journey is a small part of the much larger and unstoppable forces of nature. Like Tesla, Herodotus knew that the world was bound by forces much greater than individual will.

Tesla’s reflection also carries a lesson on the nature of humanity. Just as the sun’s heat sustains life and ultimately leads to its demise, so too do our actions, ambitions, and creations often carry the seeds of their own destruction. This duality of creation and destruction is woven into the fabric of human existence. The greatness we achieve is often born from the very struggles that bring it to life. But Tesla’s vision urges us to recognize the impermanence of all things—not to despair, but to act with the wisdom that comes from understanding our place in the greater cosmic order. Merciless though the laws of nature may seem, they also offer us a path to wisdom and acceptance.

The lesson for us today is not one of despair, but of mindful action in the face of the inevitable. Just as Tesla marveled at the forces of nature and their ability to shape the universe, we must too marvel at the fragile beauty of life, knowing that it will not last forever. But rather than resist the natural laws of time, we should strive to live with purpose, creating meaning in our lives and in the lives of others. Like the ancients, who understood the importance of embracing the inevitable end with grace, we too must find peace in knowing that we are part of a greater cycle—one that is constantly shifting, evolving, and renewing.

In practical terms, this means that we must live fully, recognizing the ephemeral nature of existence. Whether through our work, our relationships, or our creative endeavors, we must seek to make a lasting impact, not because we believe we can escape the laws of nature, but because we know that in embracing impermanence, we can find meaning and purpose in the fleeting moments of our lives. Tesla’s wisdom teaches us to honor the forces beyond our control, to respect the laws of nature, and to live with the knowledge that, though our lives are but a moment in the vast sweep of the cosmos, our actions ripple through time, leaving a mark that endures.