There is nothing else than now. There is neither yesterday, certainly, nor is there any tomorrow. How old must you be before you know that? There is only now, and if now is only two days, then two days is your life and everything in it will be in proportion. This is how you live a life in two days. And if you stop complaining and asking for what you never will get, you will have a good life. A good life is not measured by any biblical span.
In this excerpt from "For Whom the Bell Tolls," Hemingway emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment. He suggests that time is not a linear experience with a past and future but is instead focused solely on the present. The quote urges readers to recognize that their life is encapsulated in the "now," and if a person only has two days, those days define their entire existence, highlighting the need to embrace and appreciate the present fully.
Furthermore, the author points out that complaining and yearning for unattainable things detract from one's enjoyment of life. A fulfilling life is not determined by the length of days lived but rather by how one perceives and lives each moment. By shifting focus to the now and letting go of dissatisfaction, individuals can achieve a richer, more meaningful existence, free from unnecessary burdens.
