Asks Quote by C. S. Lewis
“Never, in peace or war, commit your virtue or your happiness to the future. Happy work is best done by the man who takes his long-term plans somewhat lightly and works from moment to moment 'as to the Lord.' It is only our daily bread that we are encouraged to ask for. The present is the only time in which any duty can be done or any grace received.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis, 1942
The quote urges living fully in the present, not postponing virtue or happiness for an uncertain future, and to work with devotion each day.
In simple terms: Live now, not later.
Key Takeaway
Focus on present duties.
Themes
presence
virtue
mindfulness
Mood
reflective
calm
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- daily work
- spiritual practice
- decision making
- stress management
Key Concepts
Christian ethics
temporal focus
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance long‑term goals with present action?
- What habits keep you grounded today?
A Different Perspective
Future plans can distract from current responsibilities.
![“[T]he concern of man is not his future but his present, not the world but his soul. We must be just, we must strive, we must engage ourselves with the business of the world for our own sake, because through that, and through contemplation in equal measure, our soul is purified and brought closer…” quote by Iain Pears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/428/iain-pears-9652_action_t-he-concern-of-man-is-not-his-future-bu_1687578.jpg)
