--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Man liveth from hour to hour, and knoweth…" description: "\"Man liveth from hour to hour, and knoweth not what may happen; Influences circle him on all sides, and yet must he answer for his actions: For the bein..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fb/martin-farquhar-tupper-4080_action_man-liveth-from-hour-to-hour-and-knoweth_30458.png" --- # Man liveth from hour to hour, and knoweth not what may… ![“Man liveth from hour to hour, and knoweth not what may happen; Influences circle him on all sides, and yet must he answer for his actions: For the being that is master of himself, bendeth events to his will, But a slave to selfish passions is the wavering creature of circumstance.” quote by Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fb/martin-farquhar-tupper-4080_action_man-liveth-from-hour-to-hour-and-knoweth_30458.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fb/martin-farquhar-tupper-4080_action_man-liveth-from-hour-to-hour-and-knoweth_30458.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fb/martin-farquhar-tupper-4080_action_man-liveth-from-hour-to-hour-and-knoweth_30458.png) > “Man liveth from hour to hour, and knoweth not what may happen; Influences circle him on all sides, and yet must he answer for his actions: For the being that is master of himself, bendeth events to his will, But a slave to selfish passions is the wavering creature of circumstance.” [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote contrasts self‑mastery with being driven by fleeting desires, emphasizing that true agency comes from internal discipline, not external circumstances. **In simple terms:** Self‑control versus external forces Key Takeaway Mastery of self determines destiny Themes self‑mastery responsibility determinism freedom passion circumstance Mood reflective determined cautious Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - making ethical decisions - overcoming addiction - leadership under pressure - personal growth - navigating uncertainty Key Concepts agency willpower fate autonomy Practical Applications - personal development coaching - leadership training Questions to Reflect On - How does self‑discipline shape your outcomes? - What external influences do you let dictate your actions? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Answers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/answers/) [Circles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circles/) [Circumstance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstance/) [Circumstances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances/) [Creatures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creatures/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Hours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hours/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Knoweth Happen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knoweth-happen-425045/) [Master Bendeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/master-bendeth-425043/) [Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masters/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish/) [Selfish Passions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish-passions-425044/) [Sides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sides/) [Slave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slave/) [Slave Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slave-selfish-425042/) [Wavering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wavering/) [Willpower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/willpower/) ## Related quotes > [Furthermore, what profit was it to me that I, rascally slave of selfish ambitions that I was, read and understood by myself as many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/furthermore-what-profit-was-it-to-me-that-i-rascally-slave-of-selfish/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Love is the most selfish of all the passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandre-dumas/love-is-the-most-selfish-of-all-the-passions/) [Alexandre Dumas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandre-dumas/) > [The act of willingly subtracting from one's own limited store of the good and the agreeable for the sake of adding to that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/the-act-of-willingly-subtracting-from-one-s-own-limited-store-of-the/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [People cleave to their worldly possessions and selfish passions so blindly as to sacrifice their own lives for them. 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Each nameless, wall beyond wall, wavering redefinition of horizon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/mountain-mountain-mountain-marking-time-each-nameless-wall-beyond/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [We were wavering around like a ship without a sail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-holliday/we-were-wavering-around-like-a-ship-without-a-sail/) [Judy Holliday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-holliday/) > [The People's Liberation Army is always a fighting force. Even after countrywide victory, our army will remain a fighting force during the historical period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/the-people-s-liberation-army-is-always-a-fighting-force-even-after/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [Through personal prayer, through family prayer, by trusting in God with faith, nothing wavering, we can call down to our rescue His mighty power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/through-personal-prayer-through-family-prayer-by-trusting-in-god-with/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [It was by faith, nothing wavering, that Joseph saw God our Eternal Father and Jesus Christ, His Son.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/it-was-by-faith-nothing-wavering-that-joseph-saw-god-our-eternal/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [No man is able to make progress when he is wavering between opposite things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/no-man-is-able-to-make-progress-when-he-is-wavering-between-opposite/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Rachel,” came a raspy voice from the upper level, and both Trent and I turned. It was Quen, wrapped in a blanket as if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/rachel-came-a-raspy-voice-from-the-upper-level-and-both-trent-and-i/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) > [Over the tops of it, beginning to dusk under a young white moon, trailed a wavering ghost of smoke, and at the end of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-hunter-austin/over-the-tops-of-it-beginning-to-dusk-under-a-young-white-moon/) [Mary Hunter Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-hunter-austin/) > [Rumour is a pipe Blown by surmises, jealousies, conjectures And of so easy and so plain a stop That the blunt monster with uncounted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/rumour-is-a-pipe-blown-by-surmises-jealousies-conjectures-and-of-so/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Belief in oneself is a crucial quality of leadership, because 'a house divided against itself cannot stand.' A leader who fluctuates back and forth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-beth-jones/belief-in-oneself-is-a-crucial-quality-of-leadership-because-a-house/) [Laurie Beth Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-beth-jones/) ## More by Martin Farquhar Tupper > [Hatred is the atmosphere of hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/hatred-is-the-atmosphere-of-hell/) [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) > [Mind is a kingdom to the man who gathereth his pleasure from ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/mind-is-a-kingdom-to-the-man-who-gathereth-his-pleasure-from-ideas/) [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) > [Be understood in thy teaching, and instruct to this measure of capacity; precepts and rules are repulsive to a child, but happy illustration winneth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/be-understood-in-thy-teaching-and-instruct-to-this-measure-of/) [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) > [True wisdom, laboring to expound, heareth others readily; False wisdom, sturdy to deny, closeth up her mind to argument.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/true-wisdom-laboring-to-expound-heareth-others-readily-false-wisdom/) [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) > [Power is seldom innocent, and envy is the yokefellow of eminence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/power-is-seldom-innocent-and-envy-is-the-yokefellow-of-eminence/) [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) > [There is a limit to enjoyment, though the sources of wealth be boundlessAnd the choicest pleasures of life lie within the ring of moderation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/there-is-a-limit-to-enjoyment-though-the-sources-of-wealth-be/) [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) > [Solitude delighteth well to feed on many thoughts; There as thou sittest peaceful, communing with fancy, The precious poetry of life shall gild its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/solitude-delighteth-well-to-feed-on-many-thoughts-there-as-thou/) [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) > [God, from a beautiful necessity, is Love in all he doeth, Love, a brilliant fire, to gladden or consume: The wicked work their woe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/god-from-a-beautiful-necessity-is-love-in-all-he-doeth-love-a/) [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) > [A juggler's skill hath been long years alearning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/a-juggler-s-skill-hath-been-long-years-alearning/) [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) > [The seeds of first instructions are dropp'd into the deepest furrows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/the-seeds-of-first-instructions-are-dropp-d-into-the-deepest-furrows/) [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) > [To-morrow is that lamp upon the marsh, which a traveller never reacheth; To-morrow, the rainbow's cup, coveted prize of ignorance; To-morrow, the shifting anchorage,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/to-morrow-is-that-lamp-upon-the-marsh-which-a-traveller-never/) [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) > [Speech is the golden harvest that followeth the flowering of thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/speech-is-the-golden-harvest-that-followeth-the-flowering-of-thought/) [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) > [Lay not the plummet to the line; religion hath no landmarks; no human keenness can discern the subtle shades of faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/lay-not-the-plummet-to-the-line-religion-hath-no-landmarks-no-human/) [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) > [Alike to the slave and his oppressor cometh night with sweet refreshment, and half of the life of the most wretched is gladdened by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/alike-to-the-slave-and-his-oppressor-cometh-night-with-sweet/) [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) > [Not few nor light are the burdens of life; then load it not with heaviness of spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/not-few-nor-light-are-the-burdens-of-life-then-load-it-not-with/) [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) [Explore all 116 Martin Farquhar Tupper quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. 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