My formula for living is quite simple. I get up in the morning and I go to bed at night. In between, I occupy myself as best I can.
—Cary Grant (1904–86) British-American Film Actor
They are the guiding oracles which man has found out for himself in that great business of ours, of learning how to be, to do, to do without, and to depart.
—John Morley, 1st Viscount Morley of Blackburn (1838–1923) British Political Leader, Writer, Editor, Journalist
It is better to do the most trifling thing in the world than to regard half an hour as trifle.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.
—John Wesley (1703–91) British Methodist Religious Leader, Preacher, Theologian
Lost time is like a run in a stocking. It always gets worse.
—Anne Morrow Lindbergh (1906–2001) American Aviator, Author
Time! suspend your flight. Propitious hours, suspend your course! Let us savour the swift delights of the most beautiful of our days.
—Alphonse de Lamartine (1790–1869) French Poet, Politician, Historian
And each man stands with his face in the light of his own drawn sword. Ready to do what a hero can.
—Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–61) English Poet
Take short views, hope for the best, and trust in God.
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845) English Clergyman, Essayist, Wit
Each day can be one of triumph if you keep up your interests.
—George Matthew Adams (1878–1962) American Columnist, Journalist
Regret for time wasted can become a power for good in the time that remains. And the time that remains is time enough, if we will only stop the waste and the idle, useless regretting.
—Arthur Brisbane (1864–1936) American Newspaper Editor, Investor
Time is the most precious gift in our possession, for it is the most irrevocable. This is what makes it so disturbing to look back upon the time which we have lost. Time lost is time when we have not lived a full human life, time unenriched by experience, creative endeavor, enjoyment, and suffering. Time lost is time not filled, time left empty.
—Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906–45) German Lutheran Pastor, Theologian
What you are afraid to do is a clear indicator of the next thing you need to do.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.
—John Burroughs (1837–1921) American Naturalist, Writer
Fulfill your works, your daily tasks … .
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
I wish I could stand on a busy corner, hat in hand, and beg people to throw me all their wasted hours.
—Bernard Berenson (1865–1959) American Art Critic, Historian
Each day provides its own gifts.
—Martial (40–104) Ancient Roman Latin Poet
He has not learned the first lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it’s on your plate.
—Thornton Wilder (1897–1975) American Novelist, Playwright
Love, and do what you like.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
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 (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
Add each day something to fortify you against poverty and death.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Much may be done in those little shreds and patches of time which every day produces, and which most men throw away.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Without duty, life is soft and boneless.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
He who every morning plans the transactions of the day and follows out that plan carries a thread that will guide him through the labyrinth of the most busy life. The orderly arrangement of his time is a like a ray of life which darts itself through all his occupations. But where no plan is laid, where the disposal of time is surrendered merely to the chance of incident, chaos will soon reign.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Be strong!
We are not here to play, to dream, to drift;
We have hard work to do and loads to lift;
Shun not the struggle—face it; ’tis God’s gift.
—Maltbie Davenport Babcock (1858–1901) American Presbyterian Minister, Writer
Time is an equal opportunity employer. Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day. Rich people can’t buy more hours. Scientists can’t invent new minutes. And you can’t save time to spend it on another day. Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving. No matter how much time you’ve wasted in the past, you still have an entire tomorrow. Success depends upon using it wisely—by planning and setting priorities.
—Denis Waitley (b.1933) American Motivational Speaker, Author
Make the most of today. Translate your good intentions into actual deeds. Know that you can do what ought to be done. Improve your plans. Keep a definite goal of achievement constantly in view. Realize that work well and worthily done makes life truly worth living.
—Grenville Kleiser (1868–1935) Canadian Author
An earnest purpose finds time, or makes it. It seizes on spare moments, and turns fragments to golden account.
—William Ellery Channing (1780–1842) American Unitarian Theologian, Poet
All that time is lost which might be better employed.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher