--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Thus the time passed. Toby stopped…" description: "\"“Thus the time passed. Toby stopped counting it. In any case, time is not a thing that passes, said Pilar: it’s a sea on which you float.”\" — Margaret ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf0/margaret-atwood-40_float_thus-the-time-passed-toby-stopped-counti_3082413.jpg" --- # Thus the time passed. Toby stopped counting it. In any… ![“Thus the time passed. Toby stopped counting it. In any case, time is not a thing that passes, said Pilar: it’s a sea on which you float.” quote by Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf0/margaret-atwood-40_float_thus-the-time-passed-toby-stopped-counti_3082413.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf0/margaret-atwood-40_float_thus-the-time-passed-toby-stopped-counti_3082413.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf0/margaret-atwood-40_float_thus-the-time-passed-toby-stopped-counti_3082413.jpg) > ““Thus the time passed. Toby stopped counting it. In any case, time is not a thing that passes, said Pilar: it’s a sea on which you float.”” [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Time is not a linear flow but an ever-present sea we navigate, making counting irrelevant. **In simple terms:** Time is a sea, not a ticking clock. Key Takeaway Live in the present. Themes time perception existence philosophy Mood reflective contemplative Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - daily life - creative work - mindfulness practice Key Concepts ontological view subjective experience narrative structure Questions to Reflect On - How does viewing time as a sea change your actions? - Can you stop counting moments? A Different Perspective Time can feel oppressive when over‑analyzed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Float](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/float/) [Said Pilar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-pilar-269467/) [Stopped](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stopped/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time Pass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-pass/) [Time Passed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-passed/) [Toby Stopped](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toby-stopped-5264152/) ## Related quotes > [“In any case, time is not a thing that passes, said Pilar: it's a sea on which you float.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/in-any-case-time-is-not-a-thing-that-passes-said-pilar-it-s-a-sea-on/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“I'm fine," said Pilar, "for the moment. 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