The only menace is inertia.
—Saint-John Perse (1887–1975) French Poet, Diplomat
Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. You may enjoy doing it so much that you want to do it again.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
Tomorrow is the day when idlers work, and fools reform, and mortal men lay hold on heaven.
—Edward Young (1683–1765) English Poet
Never leave ’till tomorrow which you can do today.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Do not wait; the time will never be “just right.” Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
He who prorogues the honesty of today till tomorrow, will probably prorogue his tomorrows to eternity.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
Boast not of what thou would’st have done, but do.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
The individual activity of one man with backbone will do more than a thousand men with a mere wishbone.
—William J. H. Boetcker (1873–1962) American Presbyterian Minister
Procrastination says, “The next advantage we will take thoroughly.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
By the streets of “by and by,” one arrives at the house of “never.”
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Begin to weave and God will give the thread.
—German Proverb
In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer
He who hesitates is probably right.
—Anonymous
Procrastination is like masturbation. At first it feels good, but in the end you’re only screwing yourself.
—Unknown
If the mass of people hesitate to act, strike with swiftly and with boldness, the brave heart that understands and seizes opportunity can everything.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
He who waits upon fortune is never sure of dinner.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
He that is overcautious will accomplish but very little.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
All delay is helpful, but it does produce wisdom.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
One of these days is none of these days.
—Common Proverb
“Mean to” don’t pick no cotton.
—Anonymous
Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph.
—Haile Selassie
Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
Delay not to seize the hour.
—Aeschylus (525–456 BCE) Greek Playwright
The time for action is now. It’s never too late to do something.
—Carl Sandburg (1878–1967) American Biographer, Novelist, Socialist
The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
Action, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
Procrastination makes easy things hard, hard things harder.
—Mason Cooley (1927–2002) American Aphorist
Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action has arrived, stop thinking and go in.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
It is an undoubted truth, that the less one has to do the less time one finds to do it in. One yawns, one procrastinates, one can do it when one will, and, therefore, one seldom does it all; whereas those who have a great deal of business, must (to use a vulgar expression) buckle to it; and then they always find time enough to do it in.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
Tear thyself from delay.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet