Milan Kundera in The Art of the Novel after speaking about the progression of the serious novel in the modern era from Cervantes onwards says the following:

‘Once upon a time I thought the future was the only competent judge of our works and actions. Later on I understood that chasing after the future is the worst conformism of all, a craven flattery of the mighty. For the future is always mightier than the present. It will pass judgement on us, of course. And without any competence. 
 But if the future is not a value for me, then to what am I attached? To God? Country? The people? The individual? 
 My answer is as ridiculous as it is sincere: I am attached to nothing but the depreciated legacy of Cervantes.’