--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If time be of all things most precious…" description: "\"If time be of all things most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality, since lost time is never found again; and what we call time enou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f52/benjamin-franklin-65_all-time_if-time-be-of-all-things-most-precious-w_488668.jpg" --- # If time be of all things most precious, wasting time must… ![“If time be of all things most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality, since lost time is never found again; and what we call time enough always proves little enough. Let us then be up and doing, and doing to a purpose; so by diligence shall we do more with less perplexity” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f52/benjamin-franklin-65_all-time_if-time-be-of-all-things-most-precious-w_488668.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f52/benjamin-franklin-65_all-time_if-time-be-of-all-things-most-precious-w_488668.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f52/benjamin-franklin-65_all-time_if-time-be-of-all-things-most-precious-w_488668.jpg) > “If time be of all things most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality, since lost time is never found again; and what we call time enough always proves little enough. Let us then be up and doing, and doing to a purpose; so by diligence shall we do more with less perplexity” [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Time is the most valuable resource; wasting it is the greatest extravagance. Use diligence to achieve purpose efficiently. **In simple terms:** Time is precious; waste is wasteful. Key Takeaway Prioritize purposeful, diligent action. Themes time productivity purpose Mood motivational reflective Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - project planning - daily routines - long‑term goals Key Concepts economics of time diligence mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance diligence with rest? - What tasks truly align with your purpose? A Different Perspective May cause burnout if over‑optimizing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [All time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/all-time/) [Diligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diligence/) [Diligence Shall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diligence-shall-4186384/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Found](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/found/) [Greatest Prodigality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatest-prodigality-3728318/) [Hard work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-work/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost/) [Lost time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost-time/) [Precious Wasting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precious-wasting-3728319/) [Prove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prove/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wasting time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wasting-time/) ## Related quotes > [If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be, as Poor Richard says, “the greatest prodigality'; since, as he elsewhere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/if-time-be-of-all-things-the-most-precious-wasting-time-must-be-as/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/if-time-be-of-all-things-the-most-precious-wasting-time-must-be-the/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Whatever your dreams are in life... always believe in your heart that you can achieve them. With strong faith & great diligence...you shall!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-pina/whatever-your-dreams-are-in-life-always-believe-in-your-heart-that/) [Timothy Pina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-pina/) > [My time is precious and you're wasting it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-time-is-precious-and-you-re-wasting-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Most time is wasted, not in hours, but in minutes. A bucket with a small hole in the bottom gets just as empty as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-j-meyer/most-time-is-wasted-not-in-hours-but-in-minutes-a-bucket-with-a-small/) [Paul J. Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-j-meyer/) > [A little neglect may breed great mischief. ... 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