today's metaphysics of impermanenceis brought to you by Hamlet

One of the more memorable passages in a play full of memorable passages:

King. Now, Hamlet, where's Polonius?

Hamlet. At supper.

King. At supper! Where?

Hamlet. Not where he eats, but where he is eaten: a certain convocation of politic worms are e'en at him. Your worm is your only emperor for diet: we fat all creatures else to fat us; and we fat ourselves for maggots: your fat king and your lean beggar, is but variable service-- two dishes, but to one table; that's the end.

King. Alas, alas!

Hamlet. A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king; and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm.

King. What dost thou mean by this?

Hamlet. Nothing but to show you how a king may go a progress through the guts of a beggar.

Death is the great equalizer.


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