Viktor E. Frankl Quotes about Past

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It isn't the past which holds us back, it's the future; and how we undermine it, today.

It isn't the past which holds us back, it's the future; and how we undermine it, today.

Viktor E. Frankl

Past, Today

What will it matter to him if he notices that he is growing old? Has he any reason to envy the young people whom he sees, or wax nostalgic over his own lost youth? What reasons has he to envy a young person? For the possibilities that a young person has, the future which is in store for him? "No, thank you," he will think. "Instead of possibilities, I have realities in my past, not only the reality of work done and love loved, but of sufferings bravely suffered. These sufferings are even the things of which I am most proud, though these things are things that cannot inspire envy."

Viktor E. Frankl

Past, Reality, Thinking

Viktor E. Frankl (2015). “Man's Search For Meaning, Gift Edition”, p.94, Beacon Press

Instead of possibilities, I have realities in my past, not only the reality of work done and of love loved, but of sufferings bravely suffered. These sufferings are even the things of which I am most proud, though these are things which cannot inspire envy.

Viktor E. Frankl

Past, Reality, Envy

Viktor E. Frankl (2015). “Man's Search For Meaning, Gift Edition”, p.94, Beacon Press

Usually, to be sure, man considers only the stubble field of transitoriness and overlooks the full granaries of the past, wherein he had salvaged once and for all his deeds, his joys and also his sufferings. Nothing can be undone, and nothing can be done away with. I should say having been is the surest kind of being.

Viktor E. Frankl

Past, Men, Joy

Viktor E. Frankl (2017). “Man's Search for Meaning: Young Adult Edition: Young Adult Edition”, p.119, Beacon Press