By Bertolt Brecht
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
“Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are.” This Bertolt Brecht quote about change strikes at the very heart of life’s constant movement. It’s a powerful reminder that where we stand now is only temporary and transformation is woven into the fabric of existence. Embracing this truth can bring both comfort and courage as we face our daily challenges or moments of uncertainty, helping us see the ever-changing world in a new and sometimes hopeful light.
What Does This Quote Mean?
Bertolt Brecht’s words spotlight the paradox baked into every part of life: nothing is permanent, precisely because things are the way they currently are. This is not just about waiting for time to pass; it’s an observation that the state of things at any moment is itself the engine for future change. In the context of a Bertolt Brecht quote about change, the message is that today’s reality contains the seeds of tomorrow’s transformation.
Breaking this down, think about patterns or situations that seem stuck—difficult habits, societal problems, periods of happiness, or struggles with loss. Brecht is not saying things change despite how they are, but rather because of how they are. If there’s discomfort, people search for ease. If there’s peace, new challenges may arise from complacency. In other words, the present brings forward the reasons—and the energy—for change.
On a deeper level, Brecht’s insight reaches into how history, culture, and even personal moods work. Life never pauses. The systems, relationships, and emotions you live with are always in motion. Forces within today’s situation—whether it’s restlessness, hope, discontent, curiosity, or necessity—are always pushing us toward something new. This constant dynamic gives us reason for optimism in hard times, because the simple fact that things are a certain way contains the guarantee they will eventually shift.
How Can You Use This Quote in Life?
Bertolt Brecht’s reminder that change is constant can shape your mindset and choices in powerful ways. Here are five practical examples of how this perspective can work in everyday life:
1. Facing Difficult Patches
Maybe you’re caught in a period of frustration, loneliness, or worry, and it feels like it will last forever. Remembering this Bertolt Brecht quote about change can help you see your current state is already part of the process of change. This mindset makes it easier to keep hope alive and avoid giving in to despair.
2. Tackling Bad Habits
If you’re stuck in routines or behaviors you want to outgrow, remind yourself that patterns are not set in stone. The very act of noticing what’s wrong often plants the first seed for turning things around. Use that awareness as a stepping stone for gradual, consistent adjustments.
3. Building Resilience in Uncertain Times
The world can feel overwhelming when events shift rapidly, from job changes to global crises. Instead of clinging to how things "used to be," this quote encourages openness and adaptability. You can train yourself to see changes as new opportunities, rather than threats, growing your personal resilience every day.
4. Staying Humble in Good Times
Success and happiness are wonderful to experience, but Brecht’s words remind us not to take them for granted. Just as difficult chapters do not last forever, neither do easy ones. Appreciating joyful moments, while knowing they may shift, helps you stay grateful and keep preparing for whatever comes next.
5. Creating Positive Change
Maybe there’s something in your family, workplace, or community you wish were different. This quote reminds you that nothing is unchangeable by nature. Small efforts can start a ripple effect—whether it’s speaking up, starting a new habit, or reaching out to help. Even long-standing problems are only waiting for the right circumstances to start shifting.
By using this outlook, you make peace with change and let it drive you, instead of feeling overwhelmed by it. Seeing your own life as a series of evolving situations helps you act with more courage and less fear, knowing that today’s story will not be tomorrow’s.
The Motivation Message
You are living proof that nothing stays the same! Every challenge you face, every tough day you get through, and every joy you celebrate is part of the great movement that Brecht was talking about. It can feel hard to believe when you’re in a rough patch, but remember—change is always happening, even when it goes unnoticed. The struggles and worries you deal with right now already carry the first hints of what’s coming next.
So, don’t give up! 🎉 Embrace where you are, but keep your eyes forward—things are moving, and you have what it takes to steer that movement in a good direction. The very fact that life feels uncertain sometimes means new possibilities are waiting for you around the corner. Trust in your own ability to grow, adapt, and shine. Keep going, keep believing, and see what powerful things can happen when you expect change—because it always comes! Now’s your chance: take one step today that shapes your tomorrow.
About Bertolt Brecht
Bertolt Brecht, who was born in 1898 and died in 1956, was a German playwright, poet, and theater director known for his sharp eye and critical voice. He grew up in turbulent times, with two world wars and immense social change shaping his view of the world. Brecht believed theater should not just entertain but also make people think and question their surroundings. He often challenged audiences to see injustice, demand change, and never accept things just as they are.
Through his work, Brecht highlighted how political, personal, and societal systems are always in flux, often because of how they function at the core. He saw change not as a threat but as an inevitable—and sometimes necessary—part of being human. That’s why his words about change resonate so much: they reflect a belief that nothing is fixed forever and that hope and transformation are always possible. The famous Bertolt Brecht quote about change perfectly captures his faith in the power of people and circumstances to shift, adapt, and start fresh.
