“This too, shall pass”. An endlessly intriguing concept, this simple phrase encapsulates so much about the human condition in such an eloquent and concise way that it is no wonder people have been getting this tattooed on themselves for years.

This phrase is also interesting for the layers of meaning that reveal themselves as more time is spent in analysis. Despite all evidence to the contrary, humans have devoted more collective time and energy than any other endeavor to creating stories and mythos asserting that life is eternal. Just about every religion ever created held at its core the idea of an eternal afterlife, or some other form or reincarnation. It’s as if we are all trying to convince ourselves that there is more than this physical existence.

And then someone says: “This too, shall pass”. This phrase, in four words, tears down the monolithic immortality that every prophet and messiah have promised to their people since time immemorial, simply by stating the obvious.

Beyond these highfalutin musings, the phrase has a more practical application. No matter how bad (or good, for that matter) the current circumstances, they are only temporary and keeping this fact in mind can work wonders for the anxieties that mount up in day to day life. It is a great reminder to stay calm and weather the storm, no matter how bad things seem. It is also a useful to remember when good times have you flying a little bit too high.

In fact, this just may be the truest statement ever uttered, and thanks to its endless applicability, it makes exceptional fodder for tattoos.

1. All-Caps This Too Shall Pass Tattoos

When it comes to script and typing—especially in the modern world of text messages—using all caps is a powerful statement. In the world of type, using all caps is akin to shouting and this is a great way to emphasize the importance of a word or phrase. These tattoos, with their variety of styles and fonts, use capital letters to shout this powerful phrase out to the world.