"And doubtless the good stone-work is the older and was wrought in the first building," said Gimli.  "It is ever so with the things that Men begin: there is a frost in spring, or a blight in Summer, and they fail of their promise."

"Yet seldom do they fall of their seed," said Legolas.  "And that will lie in the dust and rot to spring again in times and places unlooked-for. The deeds of Men will outlast us, Gimli."

"And yet come to naught in the end but might-have-beens, I guess," said the Dwarf.

"To that the Elves know not the answer," said Legolas. 

The Lord of the Rings

Book Five, Chapter IX

The Last Debate 

J.R.R. Tolkien