--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are never present with, but always…" description: "\"We are never present with, but always beyond ourselves; fear, desire, hope, still push us on toward the future.\" — Michel de Montaigne" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/109/michel-de-montaigne-142_desire_we-are-never-present-with-but-always-bey_2188671.jpg" --- # We are never present with, but always beyond ourselves… ![“We are never present with, but always beyond ourselves; fear, desire, hope, still push us on toward the future.” quote by Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/109/michel-de-montaigne-142_desire_we-are-never-present-with-but-always-bey_2188671.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/109/michel-de-montaigne-142_desire_we-are-never-present-with-but-always-bey_2188671.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/109/michel-de-montaigne-142_desire_we-are-never-present-with-but-always-bey_2188671.jpg) > “We are never present with, but always beyond ourselves; fear, desire, hope, still push us on toward the future.” [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We are driven by inner forces beyond conscious awareness, shaping our future actions. **In simple terms:** Unconscious drives push us forward. Key Takeaway Recognize and channel hidden motivations. Themes self-awareness motivation future psychology Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - career planning - relationship dynamics - creative projects Key Concepts existentialism human nature drive Questions to Reflect On - What hidden drives influence your decisions? - How can you align them with your goals? A Different Perspective Ignoring these forces can lead to unintended consequences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Desire Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire-hope-1172781/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fear Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-desire-233341/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Optimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimism/) [Pessimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pessimism/) [Present Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present-fear-1232830/) [Push Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/push-future-3309474/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Desire and hope will push us on toward the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/desire-and-hope-will-push-us-on-toward-the-future/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [“we need a mass of ancestors at our backs as ballast. Sometimes, we feel it's impossible to push into the future without such a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-groff/we-need-a-mass-of-ancestors-at-our-backs-as-ballast-sometimes-we-feel/) [Lauren Groff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-groff/) > [I've got to that stage in my life where, difficult decisions I don't have to make, I push them into the future until such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-hodgson/i-ve-got-to-that-stage-in-my-life-where-difficult-decisions-i-don-t/) [Roy Hodgson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-hodgson/) > [My greatest desire is that the hope that has overcome fear in my country will help vanquish it around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva/my-greatest-desire-is-that-the-hope-that-has-overcome-fear-in-my/) [Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva/) > [These ancient stories in religion speak to our desire. But they move us toward hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-pagels/these-ancient-stories-in-religion-speak-to-our-desire-but-they-move/) [Elaine Pagels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-pagels/) > [You may not know what the next day will bring. Yet if you allow desire, hope and passion to carry you into tomorrow; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-tovish/you-may-not-know-what-the-next-day-will-bring-yet-if-you-allow-desire/) [Richard Tovish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-tovish/) > [Against the dark background of the atomic bomb, the United States does not wish merely to present strength, but also the desire and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/against-the-dark-background-of-the-atomic-bomb-the-united-states-does/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [Give up all hope, all illusion, all desire..I've tried. I've tried and still I desire, I still desire not to desire and hope to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-rhinehart/give-up-all-hope-all-illusion-all-desire-i-ve-tried-i-ve-tried-and/) [Luke Rhinehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-rhinehart/) > [When you hold onto your hurtful PAST, you put your PRESENT in fear and confusion and your FUTURE becomes uncertain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/when-you-hold-onto-your-hurtful-past-you-put-your-present-in-fear-and/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [In reality there is nothing to fear in the present. Fear is projected onto the present by memory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/in-reality-there-is-nothing-to-fear-in-the-present-fear-is-projected/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [“After she's gone, another brief lull sets in. This one is probably the last. But what good is a lull? It's only a breathing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornell-woolrich/after-she-s-gone-another-brief-lull-sets-in-this-one-is-probably-the/) [Cornell Woolrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornell-woolrich/) > [Present fear is never as bad as later regret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/len-smith/present-fear-is-never-as-bad-as-later-regret/) [Len Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/len-smith/) > [“After experiencing life in Nazi Germany, Thomas Wolfe wrote, “Here was an entire nation … infested with the contagion of an ever-present fear. It was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-larson/after-experiencing-life-in-nazi-germany-thomas-wolfe-wrote-here-was/) [Erik Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-larson/) > [Each time you stay present with fear and uncertainty, you're letting go of a habitual way of finding security and comfort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/each-time-you-stay-present-with-fear-and-uncertainty-you-re-letting/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Fear can be a natural ally, a homemade power source... Staying in the present, fear can only help you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-st-pierre/fear-can-be-a-natural-ally-a-homemade-power-source-staying-in-the/) [Georges St-Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-st-pierre/) ## More by Michel de Montaigne > [No man is exempt from saying silly things; the mischief is to say them deliberately.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/no-man-is-exempt-from-saying-silly-things-the-mischief-is-to-say-them/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [The laws keep up their credit, not by being just, but because they are laws; 'tis the mystic foundation of their authority; they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-laws-keep-up-their-credit-not-by-being-just-but-because-they-are/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Every one rushes elsewhere and into the future, because no one wants to face one's own inner self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/every-one-rushes-elsewhere-and-into-the-future-because-no-one-wants/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Beauty is the true prerogative of women, and so peculiarly their own, that our sex, though naturally requiring another sort of feature, is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/beauty-is-the-true-prerogative-of-women-and-so-peculiarly-their-own/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [The height and value of true virtue consists in the facility, utility, and pleasure of its exercise; so far from difficulty, that boys, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-height-and-value-of-true-virtue-consists-in-the-facility-utility/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Fie on the eloquence that leaves us craving itself, not things!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/fie-on-the-eloquence-that-leaves-us-craving-itself-not-things/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [The plainest sign of wisdom is a continual cheerfulness: her state is like that of things in the regions above the moon, always clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-plainest-sign-of-wisdom-is-a-continual-cheerfulness-her-state-is/) [Michel De Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [The corruption of the age is made up by the particular contribution of every individual man; some contribute treachery, others injustice, atheism, tyranny, avarice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/the-corruption-of-the-age-is-made-up-by-the-particular-contribution/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [If people must be talking about me, I would have it to be truthfully and justly. I would willingly return from the next world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/if-people-must-be-talking-about-me-i-would-have-it-to-be-truthfully/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Most pleasures embrace us but to strangle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/most-pleasures-embrace-us-but-to-strangle/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [In true friendship, in which I am expert, I give myself to my friend more than I draw him to me. I not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/in-true-friendship-in-which-i-am-expert-i-give-myself-to-my-friend/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [There are as many and innumerable degrees of wit, as there are cubits between this and heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/there-are-as-many-and-innumerable-degrees-of-wit-as-there-are-cubits/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [A man has need of tough ears to hear himself fairly judged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/a-man-has-need-of-tough-ears-to-hear-himself-fairly-judged/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Lucius Arruntius killed himself, he said, to escape both the future and the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/lucius-arruntius-killed-himself-he-said-to-escape-both-the-future-and/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [I have a vocabulary all my own. I pass the time when itis wet and disagreeable. Whenit is fine I do not wish to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/i-have-a-vocabulary-all-my-own-i-pass-the-time-when-itis-wet-and/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) [Explore all 1,131 Michel de Montaigne quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) ## More Desire quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [Passion is what you need to be good, an unforgiving passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-easton/passion-is-what-you-need-to-be-good-an-unforgiving-passion/) [David Easton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-easton/) > [I want the municipality to be a helping hand to the man with a desire of sympathy, to help the fallen when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burns/i-want-the-municipality-to-be-a-helping-hand-to-the-man-with-a-desire/) [John Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burns/) > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“THE ESSENCE OF YOUR DESIRE IS A FEELING”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/the-essence-of-your-desire-is-a-feeling/) [Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/) > [On the brink of being satiated, desire still appears infinite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-rostand/on-the-brink-of-being-satiated-desire-still-appears-infinite/) [Jean Rostand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-rostand/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [He caught her, she fell, he caught her in his arms, he held her tightly unconscious of what he was doing. He held her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/he-caught-her-she-fell-he-caught-her-in-his-arms-he-held-her-tightly/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [ Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three \[great teachers\] did not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-the-arts-since-the-medium-is/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“The deepest urge in human nature is the desire to be important.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-deepest-urge-in-human-nature-is-the-desire-to-be-important/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [In discovering books, you became free to explore the full range of human motives, desires, secrets, and lies. All my life, people have scolded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/in-discovering-books-you-became-free-to-explore-the-full-range-of/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) > [I have never been in, nor have I had any strong particular desire to be in, what is termed a costume drama, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/i-have-never-been-in-nor-have-i-had-any-strong-particular-desire-to/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [Now I am in the place I call this wide wide Heaven because it includes all my simplest desires but also the most humble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/now-i-am-in-the-place-i-call-this-wide-wide-heaven-because-it/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emery-lee/from-the-devil-you-know-she-wanted-him-too-he-could-see-it-in-the/) [Emery Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emery-lee/) [Browse all 15,155 Desire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We are never present with, but always beyond ourselves; fear, desire, hope, still push us on toward the future.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michel de Montaigne" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/we-are-never-present-with-but-always-beyond-ourselves-fear-desire/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Desire" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/we-are-never-present-with-but-always-beyond-ourselves-fear-desire/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/109/michel-de-montaigne-142_desire_we-are-never-present-with-but-always-bey_2188671.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/109/michel-de-montaigne-142_desire_we-are-never-present-with-but-always-bey_2188671.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/109/michel-de-montaigne-142_desire_we-are-never-present-with-but-always-bey_2188671.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We are never present with, but always beyond ourselves; fear, desire, hope, still push us on toward the…” — Michel de Montaigne", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Michel de Montaigne", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We are never present with, but...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/we-are-never-present-with-but-always-beyond-ourselves-fear-desire/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/we-are-never-present-with-but-always-beyond-ourselves-fear-desire/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```