---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At the beginning of the cask and the end…"
description: "\"At the beginning of the cask and the end take thy fill but be saving in the middle; for at the bottom the savings comes too late.\" — Hesiod"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/369/hesiod-2889_beginning_at-the-beginning-of-the-cask-and-the-end_2568233.jpg"
---

#  At the beginning of the cask and the end take thy fill but…

![“At the beginning of the cask and the end take thy fill but be saving in the middle; for at the bottom the savings comes too late.” quote by Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/369/hesiod-2889_beginning_at-the-beginning-of-the-cask-and-the-end_2568233.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/369/hesiod-2889_beginning_at-the-beginning-of-the-cask-and-the-end_2568233.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/369/hesiod-2889_beginning_at-the-beginning-of-the-cask-and-the-end_2568233.jpg)

> “At the beginning of the cask and the end take thy fill but be saving in the middle; for at the bottom the savings comes too late.”

[Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/)

## About This Quote

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

Excessive early consumption leads to scarcity later; moderation is essential.

**In simple terms:** Spend too much early, save too late.

Key Takeaway

Practice moderation.

Themes

economics self‑control planning

Mood

pragmatic thoughtful

Type

practical inspirational

When to use this quote

- budgeting
- dieting
- project timelines

Key Concepts

resource management temporal trade‑off

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance present enjoyment with future security?
- What habits prevent late savings?

A Different Perspective

Saving too late may be insufficient.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Beginning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beginning/) [Saving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saving/) [Savings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/savings/) [Too late](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-late/)

## Related quotes

> [It's not just that families can't buy a home or start a business without some savings tucked away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cooper/it-s-not-just-that-families-can-t-buy-a-home-or-start-a-business/)

[Jim Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cooper/)

> [President Roosevelt, the author of Social Security, was the first to suggest that, in order to provide for the country's retirement needs, Social Security…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-doolittle/president-roosevelt-the-author-of-social-security-was-the-first-to/)

[John Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-doolittle/)

> [Faith is like private capital, stored in one's own house. It is like a public savings bank or loan office, from which individuals receive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/faith-is-like-private-capital-stored-in-one-s-own-house-it-is-like-a/)

[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/)

> [When Americans are worried about losing their jobs, their savings, their homes and their chance at the American Dream, Congress and the president must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/when-americans-are-worried-about-losing-their-jobs-their-savings/)

[Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/)

> [Don't hold against me that I don't own - that I don't own a single stock or bond. Don't hold it - I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/don-t-hold-against-me-that-i-don-t-own-that-i-don-t-own-a-single/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [The most common cause of low prices is pessimism - some times pervasive, some times specific to a company or industry. We want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/the-most-common-cause-of-low-prices-is-pessimism-some-times-pervasive/)

[Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/)

> [Bailing out people who made ill-advised mortgages makes no more sense that bailing out people who lost their life savings in Las Vegas casinos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/bailing-out-people-who-made-ill-advised-mortgages-makes-no-more-sense/)

[Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/)

> [Why is it so hard to see that when America had high savings, low taxes and minimal government, the economy grew like a week,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cook/why-is-it-so-hard-to-see-that-when-america-had-high-savings-low-taxes/)

[James Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cook/)

> [Inflation is not caused by the actions of private citizens, but by the government: by an artificial expansion of the money supply required to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/inflation-is-not-caused-by-the-actions-of-private-citizens-but-by-the/)

[Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/)

> [I hate weekends because there is no stock market](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-rivkin/i-hate-weekends-because-there-is-no-stock-market/)

Rene Rivkin

> [Your goal should be to pay off your credit card bills in full at the end of each month and set aside money toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/your-goal-should-be-to-pay-off-your-credit-card-bills-in-full-at-the/)

[Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/)

> [A faithfully kept program of savings and conservative investments can give you more money and a better life than that of your neighbors who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-bryant-quinn/a-faithfully-kept-program-of-savings-and-conservative-investments-can/)

[Jane Bryant Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-bryant-quinn/)

> [Never invest emergency savings in the stock market.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/never-invest-emergency-savings-in-the-stock-market/)

[Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/)

> [Both fact and logic seem to me to support the view that savings invested in privately owned economic tools of production amount to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-a-harper/both-fact-and-logic-seem-to-me-to-support-the-view-that-savings/)

F. A. Harper

> [In Poland we still believe - and this certainly applies to my government - that greater competitiveness, and greater growth and savings are possible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-tusk/in-poland-we-still-believe-and-this-certainly-applies-to-my/)

[Donald Tusk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-tusk/)

## More by Hesiod

> [Gain not base gains; base gains are the same as losses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/gain-not-base-gains-base-gains-are-the-same-as-losses/)

[Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/)

> [Aegis-bearing Zeus has a design for each occasion, and mortals find this hard to comprehend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/aegis-bearing-zeus-has-a-design-for-each-occasion-and-mortals-find/)

[Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/)

> [The best is he who calls men to the best. And those who heed the call are also blessed. But worthless who call not,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/the-best-is-he-who-calls-men-to-the-best-and-those-who-heed-the-call/)

[Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/)

> [If you speak evil, you will soon be worse spoken of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/if-you-speak-evil-you-will-soon-be-worse-spoken-of/)

[Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/)

> [Inhibition is no good provider for a needy man, Inhibition, which does men great harm and great good. Inhibition attaches to poverty, boldness to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/inhibition-is-no-good-provider-for-a-needy-man-inhibition-which-does/)

[Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/)

> [Potter is jealous of potter, and craftsman of craftsman; and the poor have a grudge against the poor, and the poet against the poet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/potter-is-jealous-of-potter-and-craftsman-of-craftsman-and-the-poor/)

[Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/)

> [Preserve the mean; the opportune moment is best in all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/preserve-the-mean-the-opportune-moment-is-best-in-all-things/)

[Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/)

> [The potter is at enmity with the potter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/the-potter-is-at-enmity-with-the-potter/)

[Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/)

> [But he who neither thinks for himself nor learns from others, is a failure as a man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/but-he-who-neither-thinks-for-himself-nor-learns-from-others-is-a/)

[Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/)

> [Justice prevails over transgression when she comes to the end of the race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/justice-prevails-over-transgression-when-she-comes-to-the-end-of-the/)

[Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/)

> [“It is best to work, at whatever you have a talent for doing, without turning your greedy thought toward what some other man possesses,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/it-is-best-to-work-at-whatever-you-have-a-talent-for-doing-without/)

[Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/)

> [I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/i-see-no-hope-for-the-future-of-our-people-if-they-are-dependent-on/)

[Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/)

> [Do not let a flattering woman coax and wheedle you and deceive you; she is after your barn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/do-not-let-a-flattering-woman-coax-and-wheedle-you-and-deceive-you/)

[Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/)

> [In the race for wealth, a neighbor tries to outdo his neighbor, but this strife is good for men. For the potter envies potter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/in-the-race-for-wealth-a-neighbor-tries-to-outdo-his-neighbor-but/)

[Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/)

> [The Gods rank work above virtues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/the-gods-rank-work-above-virtues/)

[Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/)

[Explore all 146 Hesiod quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/)

## More Beginning quotes

> [At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I freelanced for any place that would let me write any word. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/at-the-very-beginning-i-was-a-page-at-letterman-and-i-freelanced-for/)

[Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/)

> [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/)

[Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/)

> [Every Finish Line is the beginning of a new race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-finish-line-is-the-beginning-of-a-new-race/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Always keep the smile, because the smile is the beginning of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-imad/always-keep-the-smile-because-the-smile-is-the-beginning-of-love/)

Adam Imad

> [We are beginning to see intimations of this in the implantation of computer devices into the human body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-kurzweil/we-are-beginning-to-see-intimations-of-this-in-the-implantation-of/)

[Ray Kurzweil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-kurzweil/)

> [The only vocal training I had was playing with a tape recorder as a kid, and you know, doing the beginning of the 'Lone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-buffer/the-only-vocal-training-i-had-was-playing-with-a-tape-recorder-as-a/)

[Michael Buffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-buffer/)

> [January is the beginning of a new year for us in the Western world. Let us give to God what belongs to him: the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-white/january-is-the-beginning-of-a-new-year-for-us-in-the-western-world/)

[Paula White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-white/)

> [In the beginning, if you look at those early label albums of the Chicks, we didn't write all that much. We had an A&R…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martie-maguire/in-the-beginning-if-you-look-at-those-early-label-albums-of-the/)

[Martie Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martie-maguire/)

> [You need more than a beginning if you're going to start a book. If all you have is a beginning, then once you've written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-need-more-than-a-beginning-if-you-re-going-to-start-a-book-if-all/)

[Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/)

> [When there is a mission before you, you see it from its beginning to its conclusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-white/when-there-is-a-mission-before-you-you-see-it-from-its-beginning-to/)

[Jesse White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-white/)

> [When God made the world, all things began with him. Life, death, it all began when he said so. That includes you and me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manae-poet-of-carisis/when-god-made-the-world-all-things-began-with-him-life-death-it-all/)

Manae Poet Of Carisis

> [From the beginning at Intel, we planned on being big.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-noyce/from-the-beginning-at-intel-we-planned-on-being-big/)

[Robert Noyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-noyce/)

> [In the very beginning, Yelp started as a service where we really didn't think people would write reviews for fun. The whole concept of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stoppelman/in-the-very-beginning-yelp-started-as-a-service-where-we-really-didn/)

[Jeremy Stoppelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stoppelman/)

> [Some projects feel like the stars are aligning for them from the very beginning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/some-projects-feel-like-the-stars-are-aligning-for-them-from-the-very/)

[Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/)

> [Do not judge me by my beginning, Only by my end, Nor by the path I took, But where it led me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacklyn-h-lucas/do-not-judge-me-by-my-beginning-only-by-my-end-nor-by-the-path-i-took/)

Jacklyn H Lucas

[Browse all 3,566 Beginning quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beginning/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "At the beginning of the cask and the end take thy fill but be saving in the middle; for at the bottom the savings comes too late.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Hesiod"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/at-the-beginning-of-the-cask-and-the-end-take-thy-fill-but-be-saving/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Beginning"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/at-the-beginning-of-the-cask-and-the-end-take-thy-fill-but-be-saving/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/369/hesiod-2889_beginning_at-the-beginning-of-the-cask-and-the-end_2568233.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/369/hesiod-2889_beginning_at-the-beginning-of-the-cask-and-the-end_2568233.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/369/hesiod-2889_beginning_at-the-beginning-of-the-cask-and-the-end_2568233.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“At the beginning of the cask and the end take thy fill but be saving in the middle; for at the bottom the…” — Hesiod",
                "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": "Hesiod",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "At the beginning of the cask...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/at-the-beginning-of-the-cask-and-the-end-take-thy-fill-but-be-saving/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/at-the-beginning-of-the-cask-and-the-end-take-thy-fill-but-be-saving/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```