There is only one time that is important—Now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power.
In plain words
Now is the only moment you can actually do anything about.
Where these words come from
- 92% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
- The Three Questions, in Twenty-Three Tales (1903), Maude translation — the hermit's answer to the king's first question. Verbatim-confirmed via Wikisource.
- The Three Questions
- 1903 · a hermit answers a king's question about the most important time
More from Leo Tolstoy
See allThe strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.
Leo TolstoyThere is only one enduring happiness in life — to live for others.Leo TolstoyIn countries in which there is a state religion, the children are taught the senseless blasphemies of ecclesiastical catechisms, in which the necessity of obeying the powers is pointed out; in republican governments they are taught the savage superstition of patriotism, and the same imaginary obligation of obeying the authorities.Leo TolstoyAt a more advanced age, this hypnotization is continued by encouraging the religious and the patriotic superstitions.Leo TolstoyWhy do free, wealthy men consider it an honour to perform lackeys' duties to crowned heads, why do they humble themselves, and flatter them, and pretend that they believe in the special grandeur of these persons?Leo TolstoyThink of your duties,--not of your imaginary duties as a landowner to your estate, of a merchant to your capital, of an emperor, minister, official to the state,--but of those real duties of yours, which result from your real condition of existence, which is called into life and is endowed with reason and love.Leo Tolstoy
Leo TolstoyThere is only one enduring happiness in life — to live for others.Leo TolstoyIn countries in which there is a state religion, the children are taught the senseless blasphemies of ecclesiastical catechisms, in which the necessity of obeying the powers is pointed out; in republican governments they are taught the savage superstition of patriotism, and the same imaginary obligation of obeying the authorities.Leo TolstoyAt a more advanced age, this hypnotization is continued by encouraging the religious and the patriotic superstitions.Leo TolstoyWhy do free, wealthy men consider it an honour to perform lackeys' duties to crowned heads, why do they humble themselves, and flatter them, and pretend that they believe in the special grandeur of these persons?Leo TolstoyThink of your duties,--not of your imaginary duties as a landowner to your estate, of a merchant to your capital, of an emperor, minister, official to the state,--but of those real duties of yours, which result from your real condition of existence, which is called into life and is endowed with reason and love.Leo TolstoyMore on wisdom
In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.
Sun TzuThe wound is the place where the light enters you.
RumiYou have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.
Marcus AureliusWaste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.Marcus AureliusAn unexamined life is not worth living.
SocratesWonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.
Plato
Sun TzuThe wound is the place where the light enters you.RumiYou have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.Marcus AureliusWaste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.Marcus AureliusAn unexamined life is not worth living.SocratesWonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.Plato