--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are certain inessential…" description: "\"There are certain inessential activities-moths of precious time-and it is worse to busy yourself with the trivial than to do nothing.\" — Baltasar Gracian" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cb/baltasar-gracian-1090_activity_there-are-certain-inessential-activities_200939.jpg" --- # There are certain inessential activities-moths of precious… ![“There are certain inessential activities-moths of precious time-and it is worse to busy yourself with the trivial than to do nothing.” quote by Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cb/baltasar-gracian-1090_activity_there-are-certain-inessential-activities_200939.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cb/baltasar-gracian-1090_activity_there-are-certain-inessential-activities_200939.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cb/baltasar-gracian-1090_activity_there-are-certain-inessential-activities_200939.jpg) > “There are certain inessential activities-moths of precious time-and it is worse to busy yourself with the trivial than to do nothing.” [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Spending time on trivial activities is worse than doing nothing because it wastes precious time. **In simple terms:** Trivial tasks waste time more than idleness. Key Takeaway Prioritize meaningful work over busywork. Themes time management productivity priorities efficiency Mood reflective practical Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - workplace - personal planning - creative projects - daily routines Key Concepts prudent decision making value of time Questions to Reflect On - What activities truly add value to your day? - How can you differentiate essential from nonessential tasks? A Different Perspective Some trivial tasks may have hidden benefits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Activity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/) [Busy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/busy/) [Busy Trivial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/busy-trivial-2098513/) [Certain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain/) [Inessential Activities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inessential-activities-2098512/) [Moths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moths/) [Precious time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precious-time/) [Time Worse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-worse-952114/) [Worse Busy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worse-busy-2098511/) ## Related quotes > [It doesn't take much insight to realize that wars have been getting worse every time - worse from the point of view of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-girard/it-doesn-t-take-much-insight-to-realize-that-wars-have-been-getting/) [Rene Girard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-girard/) > [Every generation thinks the cultural rot during their time is worse than it's ever been. 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But I have been here for the worse, and I want to be here for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keira-kroft/i-know-that-now-probably-isn-t-the-time-but-i-have-been-here-for-the/) [Keira Kroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keira-kroft/) > [Bureaucracy is more people doing less things, and taking more time to do them worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/bureaucracy-is-more-people-doing-less-things-and-taking-more-time-to/) [Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/) > [Wasting time is worse than death, because death separates you from this world whereas wasting time separates you from Allah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wasting-time-is-worse-than-death-because-death-separates-you-from/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You don't say "Maybe I should go to bed early tonight" or do any of that stuff. 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All my precious time was taken up burying the body. I should have left the body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-didn-t-have-time-to-bury-the-money-all-my-precious-time-was-taken/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Being your slave, what should I do but tend Upon the hours and times of your desire? I have no precious time at all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/being-your-slave-what-should-i-do-but-tend-upon-the-hours-and-times/) [Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) > [“The big difference between the twentysomething and sixtysomething generations is a sense of time. The young believe they have plenty of time, while for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-farrell/the-big-difference-between-the-twentysomething-and-sixtysomething/) [Chris Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-farrell/) > [(Whispered to a novice while standing in front of the convent library) Oh! I would have been sorry to have read all those books...If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/therese-of-lisieux/whispered-to-a-novice-while-standing-in-front-of-the-convent-library/) [Therese of Lisieux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/therese-of-lisieux/) > [Again, Be careful to make a good improvement of precious time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brainerd/again-be-careful-to-make-a-good-improvement-of-precious-time/) [David Brainerd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brainerd/) ## More by Baltasar Gracian > [To be at ease is better than to be at business. Nothing really belongs to us but time, which even he has who has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/to-be-at-ease-is-better-than-to-be-at-business-nothing-really-belongs/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [It requires as much to tell the truth as to conceal it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/it-requires-as-much-to-tell-the-truth-as-to-conceal-it/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [There are friendships merely for pleasure, some for the exchange of ideas. Rarest are those friends of one's inmost self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/there-are-friendships-merely-for-pleasure-some-for-the-exchange-of/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [What is not seen is as if it was not. Even the Right does not receive proper consideration if it does not seem right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/what-is-not-seen-is-as-if-it-was-not-even-the-right-does-not-receive/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [What the multitude says, is so, or soon will be so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/what-the-multitude-says-is-so-or-soon-will-be-so/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the other one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/a-synonym-is-a-word-you-use-when-you-can-t-spell-the-other-one/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [It is good to vary in order that you may frustrate the curious, especially those who envy you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/it-is-good-to-vary-in-order-that-you-may-frustrate-the-curious/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [Hope has a good memory, gratitude a bad one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/hope-has-a-good-memory-gratitude-a-bad-one/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [Knowing how to keep a friend is more important than gaining a new one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/knowing-how-to-keep-a-friend-is-more-important-than-gaining-a-new-one/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [Leave your luck while still winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/leave-your-luck-while-still-winning/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [Superiority is always detested.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/superiority-is-always-detested/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [“We have eyelids but not earlids, for the ears are the portals of learning, and Nature wanted to keep them wide open.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/we-have-eyelids-but-not-earlids-for-the-ears-are-the-portals-of/) [Baltasar Gracián](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [The wise persono would rather see others needing him than thanking him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/the-wise-persono-would-rather-see-others-needing-him-than-thanking-him/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [No one demands more caution than a spy, and when someone has the skeleton key to minds, counter him by leaving the key of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/no-one-demands-more-caution-than-a-spy-and-when-someone-has-the/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [Keep the extent of your abilities unknown.The wise man does not allow his knowledge and abilities to be sounded to the bottom, if he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/keep-the-extent-of-your-abilities-unknown-the-wise-man-does-not-allow/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) [Explore all 288 Baltasar Gracian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) ## More Activity quotes > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [It must be assumed and established as a principle, that the right of private property must be regarded as sacred. Wherefore, the law ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/it-must-be-assumed-and-established-as-a-principle-that-the-right-of/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [And also I think the rise of other, you could say, destinations for international jihadis mean that Pakistan isn't necessarily the place where people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/and-also-i-think-the-rise-of-other-you-could-say-destinations-for/) [Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/) > [To evoke in oneself a feeling one has once experienced, and having evoked it in oneself, then by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-evoke-in-oneself-a-feeling-one-has-once-experienced-and-having/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Fighting's fun, man. It's a great activity, it's a great sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mitrione/fighting-s-fun-man-it-s-a-great-activity-it-s-a-great-sport/) [Matt Mitrione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mitrione/) > [There were books everywhere in my house. Books were very present. I just loved books. I never understood reading as anything but a pleasurable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-lucas/there-were-books-everywhere-in-my-house-books-were-very-present-i/) [Lisa Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-lucas/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [The only activity a cynic will find contagious is yawning, that is, with other people, at other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/the-only-activity-a-cynic-will-find-contagious-is-yawning-that-is/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [For the longest time, neuroscientists were forced to be passive observers of brain activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gero-miesenbock/for-the-longest-time-neuroscientists-were-forced-to-be-passive/) [Gero Miesenbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gero-miesenbock/) > [Enjoyment is not a goal, it is a feeling that accompanies important ongoing activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-goodman/enjoyment-is-not-a-goal-it-is-a-feeling-that-accompanies-important/) [Paul Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-goodman/) > [Once an activity has been socialized, it is impossible to point out, by concrete example, how men in a free market could better conduct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-read/once-an-activity-has-been-socialized-it-is-impossible-to-point-out-by/) [Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-read/) > [“Fun is not an activity, it is a state of mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/fun-is-not-an-activity-it-is-a-state-of-mind/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [I have to consider everything I eat; I consider every activity I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kimball/i-have-to-consider-everything-i-eat-i-consider-every-activity-i-do/) [Charlie Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kimball/) > [Almost all good businesses engage in 'pain today, gain tomorrow' activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/almost-all-good-businesses-engage-in-pain-today-gain-tomorrow/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Browse all 3,263 Activity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There are certain inessential activities-moths of precious time-and it is worse to busy yourself with the trivial than to do nothing.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Baltasar Gracian" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/there-are-certain-inessential-activities-moths-of-precious-time-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Activity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/there-are-certain-inessential-activities-moths-of-precious-time-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cb/baltasar-gracian-1090_activity_there-are-certain-inessential-activities_200939.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cb/baltasar-gracian-1090_activity_there-are-certain-inessential-activities_200939.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cb/baltasar-gracian-1090_activity_there-are-certain-inessential-activities_200939.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There are certain inessential activities-moths of precious time-and it is worse to busy yourself with the…” — Baltasar Gracian", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Baltasar Gracian", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There are certain inessential activities-moths of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/there-are-certain-inessential-activities-moths-of-precious-time-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/there-are-certain-inessential-activities-moths-of-precious-time-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```