Skip to content

Adults Quote by Elizabeth Bowen

“Grown-up people seem to be busy by clockwork: even when someone is not ill, when there has been no telegram, they run their unswerving course from object to object, directed by some mysterious inner needle that points all the time to what they must do next. You can only marvel at such misuse of…” quote by Elizabeth Bowen
Download Open image
““Grown-up people seem to be busy by clockwork: even when someone is not ill, when there has been no telegram, they run their unswerving course from object to object, directed by some mysterious inner needle that points all the time to what they must do next. You can only marvel at such misuse of time.””

Elizabeth Bowen

About This Quote

Source Novel: The House of Love by Elizabeth Bowen, 1950

People often follow rigid schedules, driven by internal pressures, wasting time on meaningless tasks.

In simple terms: Busy schedules can waste time.

Key Takeaway

Question your daily habits.

Themes

time management routine mindfulness

Mood

reflective critical

Type

philosophical observational

When to use this quote

  • workday
  • personal planning
  • health routines
  • family time

Key Concepts

psychology social pressure

Questions to Reflect On

  • What tasks truly matter today?
  • How can you break the clockwork habit?
A Different Perspective

Busy routines can limit creativity and fulfillment.

4.5 out of 5 (7 ratings)

More by Elizabeth Bowen

Explore all 275 Elizabeth Bowen quotes

More Adults quotes

Browse all 3,113 Adults quotes