Past quotes

Past

10.5K quotes on this topic — from poets, philosophers, and thinkers across history.

10.5K quotes

Explore further

Browse quotes that often appear alongside past — connected by shared ideas and recurring themes.

Quote collection

Past quotes (page 6 of 526)

Follow a thought to its author, or read the full quote page.

Marcus Aurelius Philosopher, Emperor
Past

"If you separate from . . . everything you have done in the past, everything that disturbs you about the future . . . and apply yourself to living the life that you are living-that is to say, the present-you can live all the time that remains to you until your death in calm, benevolence, and serenity."

Read quote 85 likes
Les Brown Motivational Speaker, Author
Past

"If you are carrying strong feelings about something that happened in your past, they may hinder your ability to live in the present."

Read quote 83 likes
Van Morrison Singer-Songwriter
Past

"These are the days of the endless summer, these are the days, the time is now. There is no past, there's only future, there's only here, there's only now."

Read quote 81 likes
Gerry Adams Politician
Past

"In the past I have defended the right of the IRA to engage in armed struggle. I did so because there was no alternative for those who would not bend the knee, or turn a blind eye to oppression, or for those who wanted a national republic."

Read quote 79 likes
William Shakespeare Playwright, Poet
Past

"Confess yourself to heaven, Repent what's past, avoid what is to come, And do not spread the compost on the weeds To make them ranker."

Read quote 77 likes
Edward Said Literary Theorist, Critic, and Author
Past

"Part of the main plan of imperialism... is that we will give you your history, we will write it for you, we will re-order the past...What's more truly frightening is the defacement, the mutilation, and ultimately the eradication of history in order to create... an order that is favorable to the United States."

Read quote 75 likes
Gautama Buddha Spiritual Teacher
Past

"If you want to know the past, look at your present. If you want to know the future, look at your present."

Read quote 75 likes
Past

"To all those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere thoughts and deep sympathy. With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not at all."

Read quote 74 likes
D. H. Lawrence Novelist, Poet
Past

"The Moon! Artemis! the great goddess of the splendid past of men! Are you going to tell me she is a dead lump?"

Read quote 74 likes
John Newton Clergyman, Hymn Writer
Past

"We can easily manage if we will only take, each day, the burden appointed to it. But the load will be too heavy for us if we carry yesterday's burden over again today, and then add the burden of the morrow before we are required to bear it."

Read quote 74 likes