Transient vs. Transitory

Both words are similar in that they refer to the quality of being brief.

He was a transient visitor. (He came one day and was gone the next).

Her local fame was all too transitory. (She was famous one day and forgotten the next.)

The usual distinction is that "transient" refers to what is actually short in duration, while "transitory" refers to what is by its nature bound to change or come to an end.

A guest is not by nature transitory (he could stay for a month if he wanted to). On the other hand, popularity sooner or later vanishes.

So you would use different terms depending upon whether you were making a general statement or a particular statement.

All joy is transitory. My joy was transcient.

Is the distinction clear?