The river flowed from century to century, and human affairs play themselves out on its banks. Play themselves out to be forgotten the next day, while the river flows on.
The passage reflects on the eternal nature of the river as a metaphor for time and existence. While the river continuously flows through the ages, human activities and experiences that occur along its banks are transient, often fading from memory almost immediately. This juxtaposition highlights the fleeting quality of human life and endeavors in contrast to the unchanging flow of nature.
Milan Kundera’s "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" emphasizes the insignificance of individual human experiences in the grand scheme of existence. With each moment lost to the passage of time, the river symbolizes the continuity of life, suggesting that while people may strive for meaning, their actions are often ephemeral, ultimately overshadowed by the relentless march of time.
