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Oldest Quote by Harry Mulisch

“The oldest thing of all is the present, because there's never been anything else but present. No one has ever lived in the past, and no one lives in the future, either.” quote by Harry Mulisch
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““The oldest thing of all is the present, because there's never been anything else but present. No one has ever lived in the past, and no one lives in the future, either.””

Harry Mulisch

About This Quote

Source Book: The Discovery of Heaven by Harry Mulisch, 1992

The quote emphasizes that only the present moment truly exists; past and future are mental constructs, not lived realities.

In simple terms: Only now is real.

Key Takeaway

Focus on the present.

Themes

mindfulness temporal perception existence

Mood

contemplative calm

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

  • meditation
  • decision making
  • stress reduction
  • creative work

Key Concepts

philosophy psychology presentism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does focusing on now affect your goals?
  • What value do past experiences hold?
A Different Perspective

Neglecting past lessons or future planning can be detrimental.

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