"Our faith in the present dies out long before our faith in the future"
- Ruth Benedict
About this Quote
Ruth Benedict's quote, "Our faith in the present dies out long before our faith in the future," offers a provocative reflection on humanity and the psychological constructs of time. At its core, this declaration recommends that people often lose self-confidence and belief in their present scenarios more quickly than they abandon hope or aspirations for what is yet to come.
There's an inherent optimism embedded in the human psyche that fuels our belief in the future. This optimism typically forces individuals to persevere and work towards improving their scenarios, as the future holds the potential for change and growth. Today, on the other hand, can often feel stagnant or frustrating, leading to a dissipation of interest and belief. This contrast highlights a typical human tendency to see the present through a lens of restrictions and challenges, while the future stays an open canvas filled with possibilities.
This quote also touches on the idea of time perception. Today is instant and frequently filled with intricacies and duties that can be overwhelming. Individuals's inability to form today as they want may lead to disillusionment, whereas the future stays far-off and undefined, enabling projections of hope, dreams, and aspirations. In essence, Benedict is keeping in mind a disconnect between our lived experiences and our expectations, highlighting a vibrant where the immediacy of the present can be eclipsed by the idealism connected with the future.
Moreover, this idea might be carefully associated to cultural mindsets concerning progress and modification. Cultures that emphasize development and forward-thinking may naturally place more focus on future potential instead of present realities, leading to a cumulative faith tailored more towards what is possible rather than what is. Benedict's observation, therefore, is not just a declaration on private psychology but also a mirror reflecting more comprehensive societal attitudes towards progress, identity, and hope.
This quote is written / told by Ruth Benedict between June 5, 1887 and September 17, 1948. She was a famous Scientist from USA.
The author also have 14 other quotes.
"The tiger is a magnificent creature and one that is threatened by human activities on all fronts. It is up to us to protect this iconic species and ensure that it has a future in the wild"
"All endeavor calls for the ability to tramp the last mile, shape the last plan, endure the last hours toil. The fight to the finish spirit is the one... characteristic we must posses if we are to face the future as finishers"
"Life is divided into three terms - that which was, which is, and which will be. Let us learn from the past to profit by the present, and from the present to live better in the future"
