“In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time.”
- April 15, 1452 – May 2, 1519
- Italian
- A versatile man (painter, sculptor, architect, inventor, scientist, etc.)
- He created many works of art, including the paintings “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper,” and also left behind many pioneering ideas in science and engineering, such as “blueprints for airplanes” and “anatomical studies.”
Quote
“In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time.”
Explanation
This quote highlights the ever-changing nature of time, comparing it to the flowing water of a river. The water you touch is both a part of what has already passed and a part of what is coming, illustrating the fluid and continuous progression of the present. It reminds us that the present moment is fleeting—it constantly moves forward, just like the water in a river. Once a moment is gone, it’s part of the past, yet the very next moment is already beginning to unfold.
Historically, many thinkers, such as Heraclitus, have pointed to the idea of constant change. Heraclitus famously said, “You cannot step into the same river twice,” emphasizing that everything is in a state of flux. Time, like a river, doesn’t stand still, and this perspective has been influential in philosophy, particularly in understanding the impermanence of life and the importance of living in the moment.
In modern life, this metaphor serves as a reminder to focus on the present, as it is always evolving. We often get caught up in regrets about the past or anxieties about the future, but like the river, life is always moving. Embracing the present moment allows us to take meaningful actions now, without being overly attached to what has already happened or too worried about what is yet to come. Just as a river continuously flows, so does time, urging us to make the most of the present.
