Quote of the day by William Wordsworth: ‘Life is divided into three terms - that which was, which is, and which will be’

Sometimes, when we wake up in the morning, we might be burdened by feelings of regret or uncertainty. That’s when a motivational quote instantly uplifts our mood, making us feel confident and better prepared for the day. If life has been a little hard on you lately, then English poet William Wordsworth’s quote might just be the right motivation you need. Although Wordsworth was born in a family of trade and local nobility, he was drawn to literature, classics and mathematics from his school years, while also being significantly inspired by his natural surroundings

One of William Wordsworth’s thought-provoking quotes that motivates us to build a fulfilling future is this: ‘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.’

William Wordsworth’s quote's hidden meaning

The quote reflects William Wordsworth’s belief that time is an ever-present teacher. The past carries lessons, the present offers opportunity and the future holds endless possibilities shaped by the choices we make. The poet urges readers to transform their mistakes into experiences without letting them trap them. In simple terms, if you act wisely in the present, it gradually paves the way for a better tomorrow.


In today’s dynamic world, marked by uncertainty, people tend to dwell on regrets or anxiously anticipate what lies ahead. But William Wordsworth’s statement acts as a reminder for us to pause, learn, and grow intentionally. Change is paramount, but instead of getting overwhelmed by setbacks, we can treat every encounter — be it good or bad as a lesson for preparation. By applying the learning from yesterday to the decisions we make today, we are responsible for creating a meaningful future.

More about William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth, born in 1770 in Cockermouth, Cumberland, England, played a pivotal role in the English Romantic movement. He joined forces with fellow English poet and literary critic Samuel Taylor Coleridge on Lyrical Ballads (1798), which proved to be a major turning point in English literature. The preface of the second edition outlined Wordsworth’s vision of revolutionary principles, where he emphasised that poetry should reflect “incidents and situations from common life”, written in a language understood by common men, altering the direction of English-language poetry. Wordsworth breathed his last in 1850.