“Tomorrow is nothing, today is too late; the good lived yesterday.”
- April 26, 121 – March 17, 180
- Roman Empire
- Roman Emperor
- Influenced by Stoic philosophy, he wrote “Meditations” and practiced ideal governance as a philosophical leader, and was later praised as one of the Five Good Emperors.
Quote
“Tomorrow is nothing, today is too late; the good lived yesterday.”
Explanation
In this quote, Marcus Aurelius emphasizes the impermanence of time and the importance of living in the present. He suggests that procrastination—waiting for tomorrow to take action or make meaningful changes—is futile, as the only moment that truly matters is the present one. “Today” is already slipping away, and if we continue to delay, the opportunity for good actions is lost. The “good lived yesterday” serves as a reminder that past moments, once gone, are beyond our control, and it is only through present action that we can live a virtuous life.
Aurelius, a Stoic philosopher, believed that virtue and rationality must be actively practiced in the present, rather than postponed for a future that may never come. His words encourage us to stop waiting for the perfect moment or the future to fulfill our responsibilities or pursue our goals. Instead, we should embrace the present and take action now. This perspective is particularly relevant today, where busyness and distractions can make it easy to put off important things and get caught in the cycle of delayed gratification.
In practical terms, this quote urges us to seize the present and focus on what can be done now. If there’s something meaningful we want to achieve or a positive change we wish to make, we should not wait until tomorrow or some future moment, but take immediate action today. For example, if we want to improve our health, invest in a relationship, or learn something new, we should begin right now, rather than waiting for a more convenient time. By living in the present and acting with purpose, we ensure that our lives are filled with meaningful action and virtue, rather than regret over opportunities missed.
