There is nothing new under the sun

A classic phrase! "There is nothing new under the sun" is a quote from the Bible, specifically from the book of Ecclesiastes 1:9, which says:

"What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun."

This phrase is often used to convey the idea that, despite the passage of time and the many changes that occur in the world, there is ultimately a sense of repetition and cyclical nature to human experience. It suggests that many of the things that happen today have happened before, and will happen again in the future.

This idea is often referred to as the concept of "eternal recurrence," which was popularized by the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. According to this idea, the universe and all its events are destined to repeat themselves infinitely, with no real change or progress.

The phrase "there is nothing new under the sun" can be seen as a commentary on the human condition, suggesting that despite our best efforts to innovate and progress, we are ultimately trapped in a cycle of repetition. It can also be seen as a reminder to appreciate the present moment, rather than getting caught up in the idea that things will always be different in the future.

However, it's worth noting that this phrase is not necessarily a pessimistic or nihilistic view of the world. Rather, it can be seen as a reminder to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the human experience, and to find meaning and purpose in the present moment, rather than getting caught up in the idea that things will always be different in the future.