這本書所畫的是舊約傳道書(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)裡的幾段經文:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
這經文如本書上的介紹:"encompass the full range of contemporary human emotion and experience, from the wonders of birth to the unanswered questions of death."
1954年Pete Seeger把這段經文改寫成"Turn! Turn! Turn!"由The Byrds合唱團唱紅。