The Worldly Hope men set their Hearts upon Turns Ashes - or it prospers; and anon, Like Snow upon the Desert's dusty Face, Lighting a little hour or two - is gone.

The quote "The Worldly Hope men set their Hearts upon Turns Ashes - or it prospers; and anon, Like Snow upon the Desert's dusty Face, Lighting a little hour or two - is gone," from the Persian poet and philosopher Omar Khayyam, speaks to the fleeting nature of worldly desires and aspirations. Khayyam emphasizes the transient nature of human hope and ambition, suggesting that what we desire most in life is often either short-lived or ultimately unattainable. The metaphor of snow in the desert highlights how our fleeting pleasures or successes are soon washed away, leaving little trace behind.

Khayyam, known for his Rubaiyat (a collection of quatrains), often pondered the inevitability of fate and the impermanence of human existence. In this quote, he suggests that the hope people place in material success or personal ambition can be as fragile and short-lived as snow that briefly touches the desert before melting away. His work is infused with a sense of ephemerality—the understanding that life is constantly changing and that pleasures and achievements are often temporary.

The line also touches on the uncertainty of life. Whether a person's hopes succeed or fail, they are rarely lasting, and their joy is short-lived. This idea challenges the conventional notion of long-term fulfillment, offering a reminder of the futility of placing all one's heart in fleeting desires. It encourages the reader to recognize the limitations of earthly pursuits and consider the more enduring aspects of life, such as contentment or spirituality.

Khayyam’s exploration of impermanence and futility is not purely pessimistic, but rather a reflection on the nature of human existence. The poem suggests that because life is uncertain and temporal, it may be wiser to approach it with a sense of detachment, finding peace in the present moment rather than in unattainable goals.