This quote reflects on the human condition regarding the understanding of time, particularly the future and the present. It posits that while people often claim certainty about the present, they lack the perspective needed to make accurate judgments about it. Without insight into the future, one cannot truly grasp the significance or value of the present moment.

Kundera suggests that our perceptions of the current moment are inherently limited and flawed. We cannot definitively label the present as good or bad without considering the potential outcomes ahead. This uncertainty complicates our ability to act or feel toward the present, prompting deeper reflection on how we navigate our existence.