Past present Quote by Alan Burdick
![“Indeed, he [Augustine] wrote, what we call three tenses are only one. Past, present, and future don't exist per se; they are all present in the mind - in our current memory of past events, in our current attention to the present, and in our current expectation of what's to come. "There are three…” quote by Alan Burdick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9f6/alan-burdick-76176_past-present_indeed-he-augustine-wrote-what-we-call-t_1696286.jpg)
““Indeed, he [Augustine] wrote, what we call three tenses are only one. Past, present, and future don't exist per se; they are all present in the mind - in our current memory of past events, in our current attention to the present, and in our current expectation of what's to come. "There are three tenses or times: the present of past things, the present of present things, and the present of future things".””
About This Quote
Source Book: Time and the Mind, 2019
All time perspectives collapse into a single present experience, shaped by memory, attention, and expectation.
In simple terms: Past, present, future are mental constructs of now.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the present as a blend of memory, focus, and anticipation.
Themes
perception
time
mindfulness
Mood
reflective
calm
Type
philosophical
contemplative
When to use this quote
- daily decision‑making
- stress management
- creative planning
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does viewing time as present affect your choices?
- Can this view reduce anxiety about the future?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring the fluidity of time can cause over‑analysis.
![“The most important thing I learned [...] was that when a person dies he only appears to die. He is still very much alive in the past, so it is very silly for people to cry at his funeral. All moments, past, present and future, always have existed, always will exist.” quote by Gavin Extence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/89d/gavin-extence-17798_alive_the-most-important-thing-i-learned-was-t_8160.jpg)
