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About this quote

What does it mean?
James observes that the present moment is elusive and slips away as soon as we try to grasp it.
In plain terms
The present moment disappears as soon as we try to hold it.
What can you take from it?
The present is fleeting and hard to catch.

Where it applies

  • reflecting on time
  • experiencing the present
  • philosophical thought

Putting it to work

  • notice the moment
  • accept impermanence

Questions to consider

  • What is the present?
  • Can we ever catch time?

Another view

Some moments feel tangible and lasting.

More from William James

  1. Creatures extremely low in the intellectual scale may have conception. All that is required is that they should recognize the same experience again. A polyp wo…

    Permalink to quote #28
  2. Genius, in truth, means little more than the faculty of perceiving in an unhabitual way.

    Permalink to quote #30
  3. So our self-feeling in this world depends entirely on what we back ourselves to be and do.

    Permalink to quote #27

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