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Be reverent before the dawning day. Do not think of what will be in a year, or in ten years. Think of to-day. Leave your theories. All theories, you see, even those of virtue, are bad, foolish, mischievous. Do not abuse life. Live in to-day. Be reverent towards each day. Love it, respect it, do not sully it, do not hinder it from coming to flower. Love it even when it is gray and sad like to-day. Do not be anxious. See. It is winter now. Everything is asleep. The good earth will awake again. You have only to be good and patient like the earth. Be reverent. Wait. If you are good, all will go well. If you are not, if you are weak, if you do not succeed, well, you must be happy in that. No doubt it is the best you can do. So, then, why will? Why be angry because of what you cannot do? We all have to do what we can. . . . Als ich kann.'

Romain Rolland#8

LifePatiencePracticalityPresentReverenceTheory

About this quote

What does it mean?
Rolland advises living reverently in the present day, avoiding excessive worry or rigid theories.
In plain terms
Live today respectfully without worrying about the future or old theories.
What can you take from it?
Focus on the present and stay flexible.

Where it applies

  • daily living
  • mental health
  • personal growth

Putting it to work

  • focus today
  • drop theories
  • be patient

Questions to consider

  • Are you living today?
  • Which theories limit you?

Another view

Planning for the future can sometimes be necessary.

More from Romain Rolland

  1. It is the artist's business to create sunshine when the sun fails.

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  2. You are a vain fellow. You want to be a hero. That is why you do such silly things. A hero! ... I don't quite know what that is: but, you see, I imagine that a…

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  3. One makes mistakes; that is life. But it is never a mistake to have loved.

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