--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we think about the present, we veer…" description: "\"When we think about the present, we veer wildly between the belief in chance and the evidence in favour of determinism. When we think about the past, h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/michel-houellebecq-1497_belief_when-we-think-about-the-present-we-veer_742767.png" --- # When we think about the present, we veer wildly between… ![“When we think about the present, we veer wildly between the belief in chance and the evidence in favour of determinism. When we think about the past, however, it seems obvious that everything happened in the way that it was intended.” quote by Michel Houellebecq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/michel-houellebecq-1497_belief_when-we-think-about-the-present-we-veer_742767.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/michel-houellebecq-1497_belief_when-we-think-about-the-present-we-veer_742767.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e46/michel-houellebecq-1497_belief_when-we-think-about-the-present-we-veer_742767.png) > “When we think about the present, we veer wildly between the belief in chance and the evidence in favour of determinism. When we think about the past, however, it seems obvious that everything happened in the way that it was intended.” [Michel Houellebecq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-houellebecq/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People oscillate between randomness and determinism in the present, yet view the past as inevitably predetermined. **In simple terms:** We see present as chance, past as fate. Key Takeaway Recognize bias in interpreting events. Themes determinism chance philosophy perception Mood introspective philosophical Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - decision making - historical analysis - personal reflection - creative writing Key Concepts existentialism historical determinism cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - How does this bias shape our choices? - Can we reconcile chance and destiny? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on determinism can limit agency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Determinism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determinism/) [Determinism Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determinism-think-5795541/) [Evidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evidence/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Favour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/favour/) [Favour Determinism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/favour-determinism-5795542/) [Obvious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obvious/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Think Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-past/) [Think Present](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-present-350013/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [I don't think about the past, I only think about the present because what I do today sets me up for the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vernon-davis/i-don-t-think-about-the-past-i-only-think-about-the-present-because/) [Vernon Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vernon-davis/) > [I think sometimes - do not we all? - that perhaps the present year is my last year and that all my busyness is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjorie-bowen/i-think-sometimes-do-not-we-all-that-perhaps-the-present-year-is-my/) [Marjorie Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjorie-bowen/) > [Let each of us examine his thoughts; he will find them wholly concerned with the past or the future. We almost never think of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/let-each-of-us-examine-his-thoughts-he-will-find-them-wholly/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [In football, I have learned to forget the past, think about the present, and the future will come as it may - thinking about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-deulofeu/in-football-i-have-learned-to-forget-the-past-think-about-the-present/) [Gerard Deulofeu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-deulofeu/) > [We are always acting on what has just finished happening. It happened at least 1/30th of a second ago. We think we're in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-wolfe/we-are-always-acting-on-what-has-just-finished-happening-it-happened/) [Tom Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-wolfe/) > [To think only about the present is the way to achieve a better future as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javi-gracia/to-think-only-about-the-present-is-the-way-to-achieve-a-better-future/) [Javi Gracia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javi-gracia/) > [If you're thinking clearly and are content about where your life is - to where you can just think about the present, think about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucas-black/if-you-re-thinking-clearly-and-are-content-about-where-your-life-is/) [Lucas Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucas-black/) > [“WE ALMOST NEVER think of the present, and when we do, it is only to see what light it throws on our plans for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ant-nio-r-dam-sio/we-almost-never-think-of-the-present-and-when-we-do-it-is-only-to-see/) [Antonio R. 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We recall the past; we anticipate the future as if we found it too slow in coming and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/we-never-keep-to-the-present-we-recall-the-past-we-anticipate-the/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [When you cross the whitewash, you only think about the present.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-thomas/when-you-cross-the-whitewash-you-only-think-about-the-present/) [Gareth Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-thomas/) > [It really never came up, but I think that in present-day America, they're - you know, and I touched on it in the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-gaffigan/it-really-never-came-up-but-i-think-that-in-present-day-america-they/) [Jim Gaffigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-gaffigan/) > [Clearing your head of distractions in order to notice and understand the people you are with can feel inefficient - there are so many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-heffernan/clearing-your-head-of-distractions-in-order-to-notice-and-understand/) [Margaret Heffernan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-heffernan/) > [“Your body moves always in the present, the dividing line between the past and the future, but your mind is more free. It can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gleick/your-body-moves-always-in-the-present-the-dividing-line-between-the/) [James Gleick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gleick/) > [It is by no means an irrational fancy that, in a future existence, we shall look upon what we think our present existence, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-allan-poe/it-is-by-no-means-an-irrational-fancy-that-in-a-future-existence-we/) [Edgar Allan Poe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-allan-poe/) ## More by Michel Houellebecq > [I think it's more difficult to live without a religion, definitely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-houellebecq/i-think-it-s-more-difficult-to-live-without-a-religion-definitely/) [Michel Houellebecq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-houellebecq/) > [I think that if writers don't speak about real life, it's because they don't know it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-houellebecq/i-think-that-if-writers-don-t-speak-about-real-life-it-s-because-they/) [Michel Houellebecq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-houellebecq/) > [“In my life, I had known suffering, oppression, anxiety; I had never known boredom. 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Sure, you manage to live according to the rules. Sometimes it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-houellebecq/the-problem-is-it-s-just-not-enough-to-live-according-to-the-rules/) [Michel Houellebecq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-houellebecq/) > [“Life sometimes offers you a chance, he thought, but when you are too cowardly or too indecisive to seize it life takes the cards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-houellebecq/life-sometimes-offers-you-a-chance-he-thought-but-when-you-are-too/) [Michel Houellebecq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-houellebecq/) > [“An entire life spent reading would have fulfilled my every desire; I already knew that at the age of seven. The texture of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-houellebecq/an-entire-life-spent-reading-would-have-fulfilled-my-every-desire-i/) [Michel Houellebecq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-houellebecq/) > [Of course, we can distinguish between males and females; we can also, if we choose, distinguish between different age categories; but any more advanced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-houellebecq/of-course-we-can-distinguish-between-males-and-females-we-can-also-if/) [Michel Houellebecq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-houellebecq/) > [A source of permanent, accessible pleasure, our genitals exist. The god who created our misfortune, who made us short-lived, vain and cruel, has also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-houellebecq/a-source-of-permanent-accessible-pleasure-our-genitals-exist-the-god/) [Michel Houellebecq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-houellebecq/) [Explore all 144 Michel Houellebecq quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-houellebecq/) ## More Belief quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“MIND & GRIND Self-belief and hard work can propel you past more talented peers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/mind-grind-self-belief-and-hard-work-can-propel-you-past-more/) [Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/) [Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/) > [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [“Rigid traditions capture souls prisons of spiritual thought man’s religion has captured a god grown too small and very weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle/rigid-traditions-capture-souls-prisons-of-spiritual-thought-man-s/) [David W Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. 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