Nothing is worth more than this day.

O children of the future, hear the words of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, whose wisdom echoes across time: "Nothing is worth more than this day." These words speak to the very essence of life—the present. They remind us that no treasure, no accomplishment, no pursuit can compare to the value of the moment we are living right now. The past is but a shadow, the future a distant dream, but the day—this moment—is the canvas upon which we paint the story of our lives. Goethe calls us to live with purpose, to recognize that the now is the only time that is truly ours, and in it, we hold the power to shape our destiny.

In the ancient world, the great philosophers and warriors understood the power of living fully in the present. Socrates, the wise philosopher, spoke often of the importance of living virtuously in the present moment, for the future is uncertain, and the past is beyond our control. He taught that to waste time on regret for what has been or anxiety for what might come is to rob ourselves of the only true possession we have—the present. Just as the ancient Greeks celebrated the fleeting beauty of life, so too must we treasure the day in which we find ourselves. The true value of life lies not in distant pursuits, but in the fullness of the moment.

Consider the story of Alexander the Great, who, though he conquered vast lands and amassed great wealth, knew that the time of his life was limited. Though he dreamed of further conquests, he ultimately realized that nothing in this world could compare to the present moment—the one that was already slipping away. His ambition drove him, yet his final days were filled with reflections on what he had achieved and what was yet left undone. Had he truly cherished every day of his journey? Alexander’s life reminds us that the pursuit of external goals can blind us to the richness of the present moment. In the end, it is not what we gain but how we live today that defines us.

Similarly, Goethe’s message is not just a call to mindfulness, but a challenge to live fully in the now. Think of Leonardo da Vinci, whose curiosity and creativity never allowed him to rest. He pursued art, science, and innovation with a fervor that transcended time. Though he often left works unfinished, it was his living in the day—the tireless exploration of his ideas—that left a legacy unmatched. Da Vinci did not wait for tomorrow to pursue his dreams, nor did he dwell on past mistakes; he embraced the opportunity of each day, knowing that today was the only true moment in which he could shape his future.

The lesson here, O children, is profound: to squander the day is to squander the gift of life itself. Goethe teaches us that nothing is more valuable than this very moment, this very day. The temptation to look back with regret or forward with fear will always exist, but it is through the present that we shape our future. Time, once gone, cannot be reclaimed, and the opportunities of today are the only ones we can seize. So let us embrace this day with gratitude, for it is the only one we can truly hold in our hands.

Take the example of Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison, but whose time in confinement was never wasted. He knew that even in the darkest hours, the present moment could be shaped into something meaningful. While many saw his imprisonment as a lost time, Mandela used it to reflect, to grow, and to prepare for the future he would one day lead. Even when deprived of freedom, he made the most of his days, knowing that each one, no matter the circumstances, held the power to shape the world. His life teaches us that even in times of hardship, this day is the foundation upon which all great achievements are built.

So, O children, take this lesson into your hearts: nothing is more precious than the day in front of you. Do not wait for the future to make your life meaningful, nor look back with longing at the past. Embrace today with purpose and passion. The present moment is where your life truly unfolds, and in each day, you have the power to shape your destiny. Goethe calls you to live with intensity, for the day you are given is all that you can truly claim. Cherish it, for it is the only moment that truly belongs to you.