"L'ange voudrait rester éveiller les morts et réparer ce qui a été brisé Mais une tempête souffle du Paradis; elle s'est prise dans ses ailes avec une telle violence que l'ange ne peut plus les fermer"
— Walter Benjamin
Simplified Meaning:
Imagine walking through a beautiful garden and seeing a statue broken into many pieces. You want to fix it and bring it back to its former beauty. Similarly, someone might wish to heal and fix past mistakes, losses, or tragedies. But sometimes, powerful forces beyond our control, like a strong wind, can stop us from doing so. These forces, which can be events, emotions, or societal changes, push us forward whether we like it or not, making it impossible to stay and repair the past. For instance, consider how quickly technology has changed our lives. Many people miss the simpler times before smartphones and social media. They might wish to go back and take their time to adjust slowly, but the rapid pace of change pushes everyone forward, leaving no room to pause or rewind. The advice here is to recognize that while we may have good intentions to mend what's broken, we must also understand and accept the powerful currents pushing us onward, adapting to the present rather than clinging to the past.