We never live. We only hope to live.

What it means

Our thoughts keep running to the past and the future, Pascal says, and almost never to the present. So we are always getting ready to be happy. Notice the moment you are in.

The source

"We never live. We only hope to live." Pascal said it in Pensées 172 (Brunschvicg). Translated from the original French by Spartan Surfers.

"Ainsi nous ne vivons jamais, mais nous espérons de vivre"

Original French, Pensées 172 (Brunschvicg). Text read at archive.org.

Who said it

Pascal (1623–1662). French mathematician and inventor who left his notes on the human condition unfinished. They were published after his death as the Pensées.

Questions

What does "We never live. We only hope to live." mean?

Our thoughts keep running to the past and the future, Pascal says, and almost never to the present. So we are always getting ready to be happy. Notice the moment you are in.

Who said "We never live. We only hope to live."?

Pascal (1623–1662). Source: Pensées 172 (Brunschvicg).

What is the original French?

Ainsi nous ne vivons jamais, mais nous espérons de vivre. Translated from the original French by Spartan Surfers.

Is "We never live. We only hope to live." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"We never live. We only hope to live." (Pascal, Pensées 172 (Brunschvicg), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/we-never-live-we-only-hope-to-live