--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Times are not what they were, and we…" description: "\"“Times are not what they were, and we cannot be, either. If you sit and wish for what you want, you may not see it this side of the grave.”\" — Robert J..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9f/robert-jordan-438_change_times-are-not-what-they-were-and-we-cann_540968.jpg" --- # Times are not what they were, and we cannot be, either. If… ![“Times are not what they were, and we cannot be, either. If you sit and wish for what you want, you may not see it this side of the grave.” quote by Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9f/robert-jordan-438_change_times-are-not-what-they-were-and-we-cann_540968.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9f/robert-jordan-438_change_times-are-not-what-they-were-and-we-cann_540968.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9f/robert-jordan-438_change_times-are-not-what-they-were-and-we-cann_540968.jpg) > ““Times are not what they were, and we cannot be, either. If you sit and wish for what you want, you may not see it this side of the grave.”” [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It reflects on change, urging acceptance that both circumstances and selves evolve, and that longing for the past can blind us to present possibilities. **In simple terms:** Change is inevitable; cling to the past limits you. Key Takeaway Embrace change, let go of static expectations. Themes change time acceptance mortality hope Mood reflective melancholic hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - grieving loss - making decisions - spiritual reflection Key Concepts philosophical existential literary Questions to Reflect On - What are you holding onto that hinders growth? - How can you find purpose in the present? A Different Perspective It may romanticize the past, ignoring its flaws. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Sit Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sit-wish-3907946/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Times Sit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/times-sit-1081754/) [Want Grave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-grave-869481/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) [Wish Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish-want-986713/) [Wishes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wishes/) ## Related quotes > [Back in the days when I was young I'm not a kid anymore But some days I sit and wish I was a kid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmad/back-in-the-days-when-i-was-young-i-m-not-a-kid-anymore-but-some-days/) [Ahmad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmad/) > [Don't sit and wish for some ideal; the grass is not always greener with the big house and cars and artwork.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-coleman/don-t-sit-and-wish-for-some-ideal-the-grass-is-not-always-greener/) [Jonathan Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-coleman/) > [Things that Shane doesn't want on his grave: (1.) I thought it wasn't loaded. (2.) Hand me a match so I can check the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/things-that-shane-doesn-t-want-on-his-grave-1-i-thought-it-wasn-t/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [I want to go to my grave a happy guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-anthony/i-want-to-go-to-my-grave-a-happy-guy/) [Michael Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-anthony/) > [As much as I hate being alone, I think those are the best times for me to sit down & really evaluate my life;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-much-as-i-hate-being-alone-i-think-those-are-the-best-times-for-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There are many times when I sit back and try to analyse the things that I could have done differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shamita-shetty/there-are-many-times-when-i-sit-back-and-try-to-analyse-the-things/) [Shamita Shetty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shamita-shetty/) > [I don't want to take anything to the grave. 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We want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-angel/oprah-is-signed-on-to-help-and-a-lot-of-celebrity-friends-have-agreed/) [Criss Angel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-angel/) > [-I miss you !! :'( -I'm crying for you !! - I'm broken !! If I can have a wish for this new year…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b/i-miss-you-i-m-crying-for-you-i-m-broken-if-i-can-have-a-wish-for/) [B](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b/) > [Wish for what you want, work for what you need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/wish-for-what-you-want-work-for-what-you-need/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [“I want to be with you so badly right now. i want to take you home with me, and put you in my bed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raine-miller/i-want-to-be-with-you-so-badly-right-now-i-want-to-take-you-home-with/) [Raine Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raine-miller/) > [I wish I am everything that you want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-wish-i-am-everything-that-you-want/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sometimes I wish you would want to talk to me just as much I want to talk to you...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/every-teenage/sometimes-i-wish-you-would-want-to-talk-to-me-just-as-much-i-want-to/) [Every Teenage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/every-teenage/) ## More by Robert Jordan > [“It was an odd thing Tam had taught him. Concentrate on a single flame and feed all your passions into it—fear, hate, anger—until your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/it-was-an-odd-thing-tam-had-taught-him-concentrate-on-a-single-flame/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [“Relax, lad. Take life as it comes. Run when you have to, fight when you must, rest when you can.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/relax-lad-take-life-as-it-comes-run-when-you-have-to-fight-when-you/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [“As she spoke, the dice started tumbling inside his head.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/as-she-spoke-the-dice-started-tumbling-inside-his-head/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [There was a wild light in his eyes. "Bring your lightnings, Aes Sedai. I will dance with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/there-was-a-wild-light-in-his-eyes-bring-your-lightnings-aes-sedai-i/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [My mother always told me the best way to learn to deal with a man was to learn to ride a mule. She said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/my-mother-always-told-me-the-best-way-to-learn-to-deal-with-a-man-was/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [“The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills, Perrin. We’ve become what we needed to become.” Perrin”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/the-wheel-weaves-as-the-wheel-wills-perrin-we-ve-become-what-we/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [“All of you, fare well, and may you shelter in the palm of the Creator’s hand.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/all-of-you-fare-well-and-may-you-shelter-in-the-palm-of-the-creator-s/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [If it's not forbidden, then it's allowed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/if-it-s-not-forbidden-then-it-s-allowed/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [“Stay and get married, or travel the Ways." Loial grimaced ruefully. "Life is very unsettling with ta'veren for friends.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/stay-and-get-married-or-travel-the-ways-loial-grimaced-ruefully-life/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [“Who would sup with the mighty must climb the path of daggers. -Anonymous notation found inked in the margin of a manuscript history (believed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/who-would-sup-with-the-mighty-must-climb-the-path-of-daggers/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [Men always seem to refuse to admit they are sick until they're sick enough to make twice as much work for women. Then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/men-always-seem-to-refuse-to-admit-they-are-sick-until-they-re-sick/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [Beauty holds more worth than gold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/beauty-holds-more-worth-than-gold/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [When the honey's out of the comb, there's no putting it back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/when-the-honey-s-out-of-the-comb-there-s-no-putting-it-back/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [Death comes to us all; we can only choose how to face it when it comes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/death-comes-to-us-all-we-can-only-choose-how-to-face-it-when-it-comes/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [“Burn me," Mat said, throwing on the shirt he dug out of the bundle. "I'll give you a hundred Tar Valon marks if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/burn-me-mat-said-throwing-on-the-shirt-he-dug-out-of-the-bundle-i-ll/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) [Explore all 553 Robert Jordan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) [Phil Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hogan/) > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Times are not what they were, and we cannot be, either. 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