--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What then is time? If no one asks me, I…" description: "\"What then is time? If no one asks me, I know what it is. If I wish to explain it to him who asks, I do not know.\" — Saint Augustine" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fe/saint-augustine-328_asks_what-then-is-time-if-no-one-asks-me-i-kn_1258312.png" --- # What then is time? If no one asks me, I know what it is… ![“What then is time? If no one asks me, I know what it is. If I wish to explain it to him who asks, I do not know.” quote by Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fe/saint-augustine-328_asks_what-then-is-time-if-no-one-asks-me-i-kn_1258312.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fe/saint-augustine-328_asks_what-then-is-time-if-no-one-asks-me-i-kn_1258312.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0fe/saint-augustine-328_asks_what-then-is-time-if-no-one-asks-me-i-kn_1258312.png) > “What then is time? If no one asks me, I know what it is. If I wish to explain it to him who asks, I do not know.” [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) ## 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 elusive; we recognize it in experience but cannot define it when asked. **In simple terms:** Time feels real but is hard to explain. Key Takeaway Accept uncertainty about time. Themes philosophy existential metaphysics Mood thoughtful introspective Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - personal reflection - teaching - writing - contemplation Key Concepts temporal perception subjective experience Questions to Reflect On - How do you experience time daily? - Can you describe time without words? A Different Perspective Time may be a construct that limits understanding. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asks/) [Asks Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asks-know-290420/) [Explain Asks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explain-asks-3990963/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time Asks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-asks-2983843/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [“Quid est tempus? Si nemo me queret, scio; si aliqui explicare velim, nescio. What then is time? If no one asks me, I know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine-of-hippo/quid-est-tempus-si-nemo-me-queret-scio-si-aliqui-explicare-velim/) [Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-of-hippo/) > [“Si nemo me queret, scio; si aliqui explicare velim, nescio. "If no one asks me, I know. 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I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ira-glass/i-think-the-thing-that-i-wish-somebody-would-ask-me-is-just-to-ask/) [Ira Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ira-glass/) > [I know well, Monsieur, how much you have to endure in your present duty, and I ask Our Lord to strengthen you in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/i-know-well-monsieur-how-much-you-have-to-endure-in-your-present-duty/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [The Americans say that we are ungrateful-but I ask them for heaven's sake, what should we be grateful to them for-for murdering our fathers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-walker/the-americans-say-that-we-are-ungrateful-but-i-ask-them-for-heaven-s/) [David Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-walker/) ## More by Saint Augustine > [Lust indulged became habit, and habit unresisted became necessity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/lust-indulged-became-habit-and-habit-unresisted-became-necessity/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [The playthings of our elders are called business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/the-playthings-of-our-elders-are-called-business/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [Do what you can and pray for what you cannot yet do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/do-what-you-can-and-pray-for-what-you-cannot-yet-do/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [For I did not know that the soul needs to be enlightened by light from outside itself, so that it can participate in truth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/for-i-did-not-know-that-the-soul-needs-to-be-enlightened-by-light/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [My mother spoke of Christ to my father, by her feminine and childlike virtues, and, after having borne his violence without a murmur or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/my-mother-spoke-of-christ-to-my-father-by-her-feminine-and-childlike/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [Wicked sons do not have the Holy Ghost in the same way as do beloved sons, and yet they do have Baptism. 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