A collection of time quotes, time sayings and time proverbs to help you in understanding, appreciating and hopefully managing time more wisely. Enjoy!
Time is very important
Time is really the only capital that any human being has, and the only thing he can’t afford to lose. ~Thomas Edison
He that has time has life. ~English Proverb
Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time. ~Jim Rohn
An ounce of gold will not buy an inch of time. ~Chinese Proverb
Until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it. ~M. Scott Peck
Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend. ~Theophrastus
All that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. ~Baltasar Gracian
Your greatest resource is your time. ~Brian Tracy
Time is money. ~Benjamin Franklin
Until we can manage time, we can manage nothing else. ~Peter F. Drucker
Don’t excuse, you are in control of your Time.
Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you. ~Carl Sandburg
You will never “find” time for anything. If you want time, you must make it. ~Charles Bruxton
The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot. ~Michael Altshuler
Those who make the worse use of their time are the first to complain of its shortness. ~Jean De La Bruyere
The great dividing line between success and failure can be expressed in five words: “I did not have time. ~Franklin Field
Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein. ~H. Jackson Brown
Time and tide wait for no one. ~Irish Proverb
The great French Marshall Lyautey once asked his gardener to plant a tree. The gardener objected that the tree was slow growing and would not reach maturity for 100 years. The Marshall replied, ‘In that case, there is no time to lose; plant it this afternoon!’ ~John F. Kennedy
Don’t procrastinate at all!
Wasting time is robbing oneself. ~Estonian Proverb
Never leave ’till tomorrow which you can do today. ~Benjamin Franklin
If you don’t have time to do it right, you must have time to do it over. ~Russian Proverb
Time is like a snowflake–it melts away while we try to decide what to do with it. ~Anonymous
While we are postponing, life speeds by. ~Seneca
A wise person does at once, what a fool does at last. Both do the same thing; only at different times. ~Baltasar Gracian
We say we waste time, but that is impossible. We waste ourselves. ~ Alice Bloch
What may be done at any time will be done at no time. ~Scottish Proverb
Lost time is gone forever
Lost time is never found again. ~Benjamin Franklin
One thing you can’t recycle is wasted time. ~Author Unknown
Time flies like an arrow. ~Japanese Proverb
Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance or medicine, but lost time is gone forever. ~Samuel Smiles
He lives long that lives well; and time misspent is not lived but lost. ~Thomas Fuller
The present counts
No time to waste like the present. ~English Proverb
God exists in eternity. The only point where eternity meets time is in the present. The present is the only time there is. ~Marianne Williamson
Yesterday is a canceled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is the only cash you have. Spend it wisely. ~Anonymous
The time for action is now. It’s never too late to do something. ~Carl Sandburg
Never let yesterday use up today. ~Richard H. Nelson
Minutes are worth more than money. Spend them wisely. ~Thomas P. Murphy
Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got. ~Art Buchwald
This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good.What I do today is important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, not loss; good not evil; success not failure; in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for it. ~Author Unknown
Every moments counts
Take care of the minutes and the hours will take care of themselves. ~Lord Chesterfield
As every thread of gold is valuable, so is every moment of time. ~John Mason
Every moment is golden. ~English Proverb
Every morning you are handed 24 golden hours. They are one of the few things in this world that you get free of charge. If you had all the money in the world, you couldn’t buy an extra hour. What will you do with this priceless treasure? ~Anonymous
You’re writing the story of your life one moment at a time. ~Doc Childre and Howard Martin
Plan your time well
It’s not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy about? ~Henry David Thoreau
Well arranged time is the surest mark of a well arranged mind. ~Isaac Pitman
Modern man thinks he loses something–time–when he does not do things quickly. Yet he does not know what to do with the time he gains–except kill it. ~Erich Fromm
We will always have time enough, if we will but use it aright. ~Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Better to take your time. ~Roman Proverb
If you want to make good use of your time, you’ve got to know what’s most important and then give it all you’ve got. ~Lee Iacocca
Use your time wisely
The key is in not spending time, but in investing it. ~Stephen R. Covey
Don’t be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of. One man gets only a week’s value out of a year while another man gets a full year’s value out of a week. ~Charles Richards
Those who know the value of time use it in preparation for eternity. ~Dugnet
Ordinary people think merely of spending time. Great people think of using it. ~Author Unknown
Time is what we want most, but what we use worst. ~William Penn
Time = life; therefore, waste your time and waste of your life, or master your time and master your life. ~Alan Lakein
Make use of time, let not advantage slip. ~William Shakespeare
Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much can be done if we are always doing. ~Thomas Jefferson
This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life. ~Charles Darwin
Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of. ~Benjamin Franklin
Time is a wise teacher
Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely. ~Rodin
Time as he grows old teaches many lessons. ~Aeschylus
Time is the wisest counselor of all. ~Pericles
He that neglects time, time will neglect. ~Spanish Proverb
The mystery of time
Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity. ~Henry Van Dyke
Hour by hour time departs. ~Italian Proverb
One cannot manage too many affairs: like pumpkins in the water, one pops up while you try to hold down the other. ~Chinese Proverb
Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back. ~Harvey MacKay
To do two things at once is to do neither. ~Publius Syrus
The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once. ~Albert Einstein
The two most powerful warriors are patience and time. ~Leo Tolstoy
Everything has its time. ~Portuguese Proverb
Time is eternity begun. ~James Montgomery
You don’t need a watch to know when it’s time to die. ~Yiddish Proverb
Time, an intangible yet invaluable resource, is the common thread that weaves through the fabric of our lives. From the wisdom of Thomas Edison to the age-old proverbs that transcend generations, the concept of time has fascinated and guided humanity. In this exploration, we delve into the profound insights encapsulated in quotes about time, unraveling the significance of this fleeting yet essential element in our existence.
The Capital of Life
“Time is really the only capital that any human being has, and the only thing he can’t afford to lose.” – Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison, the inventor known for his contributions to the modern world, recognized the true essence of time. In his words, time is not just a resource but the very foundation upon which our lives are built. It’s a reminder that time, once lost, cannot be reclaimed. Therefore, it stands as our most precious capital, demanding wise investment.
The Essence of Existence
“He that has time has life.” – English Proverb
In the succinct wisdom of an English proverb, the connection between time and life is laid bare. Life unfolds within the confines of time, and every moment we possess is a fragment of existence. This proverb reminds us that to have time is to have the opportunity to experience life’s myriad joys and challenges.
Time vs. Money
“Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.” – Jim Rohn
Jim Rohn’s perspective draws a clear distinction between money and time. While wealth can be acquired or lost, time follows a unidirectional course, always moving forward. It emphasizes the irreplaceable nature of time and encourages us to invest it wisely, for once it’s spent, it’s gone forever.
The Inadequacy of Wealth
“An ounce of gold will not buy an inch of time.” – Chinese Proverb
In the pursuit of wealth, people often overlook the finite nature of time. This Chinese proverb serves as a stark reminder that no amount of material riches can extend the moments we have in life. It reinforces the idea that time is beyond the reach of material possessions.
Self-Value and Time
“Until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.” – M. Scott Peck
M. Scott Peck delves into the psychological aspect of time management. He suggests that recognizing our self-worth is the foundation for valuing our time. Only when we understand our own value can we allocate time to endeavors that truly matter to us. This quote underscores the intricate relationship between self-esteem and effective time management.
The Most Valuable Possession
“Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” – Theophrastus
Theophrastus, a Greek philosopher, extols the supreme value of time. This timeless wisdom asserts that the way we spend our time reflects our priorities and ultimately defines our lives. It prompts us to reflect on the choices we make daily and the investments we allocate to our most valuable possession.
The Singular Ownership
“All that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that.” – Baltasar Gracian
Baltasar Gracian’s quote distills ownership to its core essence: time. Regardless of our material possessions or circumstances, time is the one constant that accompanies every individual. It highlights the universal access to this resource and the equalizing nature of time.
The Ultimate Resource
“Your greatest resource is your time.” – Brian Tracy
Brian Tracy, a renowned personal development expert, encapsulates the essence of prioritizing time as our most significant resource. In the pursuit of success and personal growth, effective time management is the linchpin that allows us to harness our potential fully.
The Monetization of Time
“Time is money.” – Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin’s adage succinctly conveys the idea that time, much like money, is a valuable commodity. In the realm of business and productivity, every moment wasted equates to potential earnings lost. It reinforces the concept that time should be treated with the same care and attention as money.
The Foundation of Management
“Until we can manage time, we can manage nothing else.” – Peter F. Drucker
Peter F. Drucker, a management guru, underscores the pivotal role of time management in all aspects of life. Time serves as the bedrock upon which effective management of tasks, projects, and responsibilities is built. It emphasizes that mastery over time is the gateway to success in various endeavors.
The Architect of Your Time
“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” – Carl Sandburg
Carl Sandburg’s quote paints a vivid picture of time as a precious coin in the currency of life. It emphasizes individual agency in determining how this currency is spent. The cautionary note serves as a reminder to guard against relinquishing control of our time to external forces.
The Art of Making Time
“You will never ‘find’ time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.” – Charles Bruxton
Charles Bruxton’s wisdom dispels the notion of passively waiting for time to appear. Instead, it encourages proactive efforts in creating time for the things that matter most. It reinforces the idea that time is a malleable resource that can be shaped by intentional actions.
The Mastery of Life’s Flight
“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” – Michael Altshuler
Michael Altshuler’s quote paints time as a flight that moves swiftly through our lives. It encourages us to embrace our role as the pilot, responsible for steering the course of our existence. It reminds us that while time may pass quickly, we have the power to determine our direction.
The Complainants of Time
“Those who make the worse use of their time are the first to complain of its shortness.” – Jean De La Bruyere
Jean De La Bruyere’s quote exposes a common human tendency—to squander time and then lament its scarcity. It serves as a poignant reminder that our perception of time’s brevity is often shaped by how we choose to utilize it.
The Barrier to Achievement
“The great dividing line between success and failure can be expressed in five words: ‘I did not have time.'” – Franklin Field
Franklin Field’s quote succinctly captures a pivotal distinction between success and failure. It points out that time, or the lack thereof, can be a decisive factor in one’s journey. It underscores the importance of prioritizing and making time for endeavors that align with our goals.
The Universality of Time
“Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.” – H. Jackson Brown
H. Jackson Brown’s quote is a powerful reminder of the universality of time. It highlights that every individual, regardless of their historical impact, had the same 24 hours each day. It challenges the notion of time scarcity and encourages us to use our time wisely, as these remarkable figures did.
The Inescapable Force
“Time and tide wait for no one.” – Irish Proverb
The Irish Proverb succinctly captures the relentless nature of time and life’s changing tides. It reminds us that time marches forward, irrespective of our desires or circumstances. This quote urges us to acknowledge time’s unceasing progression and act accordingly.
The Inevitability of Mortality
“You don’t need a watch to know when it’s time to die.” – Yiddish Proverb
The Yiddish Proverb offers a sobering reflection on the inevitability of death. It suggests that our mortality is an inherent aspect of our existence, independent of external measures like timepieces. This quote encourages contemplation of life’s impermanence and the need to make the most of our time.
In conclusion, these quotes illuminate the multifaceted nature of time and its profound impact on our lives. From recognizing time as the ultimate capital to understanding its inextricable link with life, these insights serve as guiding beacons in our journey through the ever-flowing river of time. They prompt us to reflect on our choices, priorities, and the value we assign to this finite yet immeasurable resource. As we navigate the complexities of existence, may these quotes inspire us to cherish every moment and navigate the passage of time with purpose and intention.