Quotes about Time
Each of us lives only now, this brief instant. The rest has been lived already, or is impossible to see.
- Marcus Aurelius
To comprehend all in a few words, our life is short; we must endeavour to gain the present time with best discretion and justice. Use recreation with sobriety.
- Marcus Aurelius
In this infinity then what is the difference between him who lives three days and him who lives three generations? Always
- Marcus Aurelius
Before long, either ashes or a skeleton, and either just a name or not even that
- Marcus Aurelius
Second, that both the longest-lived and the earliest to die suffer the same loss. It is only the present moment of which either stands to be deprived: and if indeed this is all he has, he cannot lose what he does not have.
- Marcus Aurelius
Asia and Europe are corners of the universe; all the sea a drop in the universe; Athos a little clod of the universe; all present time is a point in eternity. All things are little, changeable, perishable.
- Marcus Aurelius
Life is a pilgrimage and a struggle. All we have of time is a moment; the universe is in constant flux; our bodies are fragile; our senses grasp so little; our souls are a mist; the future is a fog; and fame is fleeting.
- Marcus Aurelius
Keep in mind how fast things pass by and are gone—those that are now, and those to come. Existence flows past us like a river: the "what" is in constant flux, the "why" has a thousand variations. Nothing is stable, not even what's right here
- Marcus Aurelius
There is a river of creation, and time is a violent stream. As soon as one thing comes into sight, it is swept past and another is carried down: it too will be taken on its way.
- Marcus Aurelius
From Alexander the Platonist, not to say to anyone often or without necessity, nor write in a letter, I am too busy, nor in this fashion constantly plead urgent affairs as an excuse for evading the obligations entailed upon us by our relations towards those around us.
- Marcus Aurelius
All things fade and quickly turn to myth: quickly too utter oblivion drowns them. And I am talking of those who shone with some wonderful brilliance: the rest, once they have breathed their last, are immediately 'beyond sigh, beyond knowledge'. But what in any case is everlasting memory? Utter emptiness.
- Marcus Aurelius
Some people will say that memory fades away as the years pass. Of course it does if you don't exercise it or aren't very bright to begin with. -- How to grow old: ancient wisdom for the second half of life.
- Cicero