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Indolence, interruption, business, and pleasure; all take…

“Indolence, interruption, business, and pleasure; all take their turns of retardation….Perhaps no extensive and multifarious performance, said Sib, was ever effected within the term originally fixed in the undertaker’s mind. He that runs against Time, has an antagonist not subject to casualities.” quote by Helen DeWitt
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““Indolence, interruption, business, and pleasure; all take their turns of retardation….Perhaps no extensive and multifarious performance, said Sib, was ever effected within the term originally fixed in the undertaker’s mind. He that runs against Time, has an antagonist not subject to casualities.””

Helen DeWitt

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote reflects on how distractions and leisure delay progress, and that ambitious projects often exceed their original timelines, making time an adversary.

In simple terms: Distractions delay goals; time opposes effort.

Key Takeaway

Accept time’s limits, prioritize focus.

Themes

time distraction ambition effort delay

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

  • project planning
  • academic research
  • creative writing
  • entrepreneurship

Key Concepts

Opportunity cost temporal constraints

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance leisure with long‑term goals?
  • What strategies keep you from procrastinating?
A Different Perspective

Time cannot be fully controlled, and unforeseen events still arise.

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