It is really true what philosophy tells us, that life must be understood backwards. But with this, one forgets the second proposition, that it must be lived forwards.
—Soren Kierkegaard (1813–55) Danish Philosopher, Theologian
This, too, shall pass.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Look not mournfully into the Past. It comes not back again. Wisely improve the Present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy Future, without fear, and with a manly heart.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
One must be thrust out of a finished cycle in life, and that leap is the most difficult to make—to part with one’s faith, one’s love, when one would prefer to renew the faith and recreate the passion.
—Anais Nin (1903–77) French-American Essayist
No yesterdays are ever wasted for those who give themselves to today.
—Brendan Behan (1923–64) Irish Poet, Novelist, Playwright
Time is like a river of fleeting events, and its current is strong; as soon as something comes into sight, it is swept past us, and something else takes its place, and that too will be swept away.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
Sadness flies away on the wings of time.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
Let the dead Past bury its dead.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
If you’re going through hell, keep going.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
—Nelson Mandela (1918–2013) South African Political leader
Everything flows, nothing stays still.
—Heraclitus (535BCE–475BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
There is a time for departure, even when there’s no certain place to go.
—Tennessee Williams (1911–83) American Playwright
What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.
—T. S. Eliot (1888–1965) American-British Poet, Dramatist, Literary Critic
Quietly forgiving and moving on is a gift to God—and yourself.
—Unknown
To change skins, evolve into new cycles, I feel one has to learn to discard. If one changes internally, one should not continue to live with the same objects. They reflect one’s mind and psyche of yesterday. I throw away what has no dynamic, living use.
—Anais Nin (1903–77) French-American Essayist
Let the past drift away with the water.
—Japanese Proverb
I have not ceased being fearful, but I have ceased to let fear control me. I have accepted fear as a part of life—specifically the fear of change, the fear of the unknown; and I have gone ahead despite the pounding in my heart that says: turn back, turn back, you’ll die if you venture too far.
—Erica Jong (b.1942) American Novelist, Feminist
There is something beautiful about all scars of whatever nature. A scar means the hurt is over, the wound is closed and healed, done with.
—Harry Crews (1935–2012) American Novelist, Essayist, Teacher
The past is a bucket of ashes, so live not in your yesterdays, nor just for tomorrow, but in the here and now. Keep moving and forget the post-mortems. And remember, no one can get the jump on the future.
—Carl Sandburg (1878–1967) American Biographer, Novelist, Socialist
When I look at the future, it’s so bright, it burns my eyes.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92) British Poet
Readjusting is a painful process, but most of us need it at one time or another.
—A. C. Benson (1862–1925) English Essayist, Poet, Academic
Life is like riding a bicycle. You don’t fall off unless you stop pedaling.
—Claude Pepper (1900–89) American Politician
Anyone who limits her vision to memories of yesterday is already dead.
—Lillie Langtry (1853–1929) British Victorian Socialite
Life is about making the right decisions and moving on.
—Anonymous
With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the future. I live now.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The biggest thing in today’s sorrow is the memory of yesterday’s joy.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-American Philosopher, Poet, Sculptor
Change means the unknown.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
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