---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Tear thyself from delay."
description: "\"Tear thyself from delay.\" — Horace"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f83/horace-172_delay_tear-thyself-from-delay-1824535_1824535.jpg"
---

#  Tear thyself from delay.

![“Tear thyself from delay.” quote by Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f83/horace-172_delay_tear-thyself-from-delay-1824535_1824535.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f83/horace-172_delay_tear-thyself-from-delay-1824535_1824535.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f83/horace-172_delay_tear-thyself-from-delay-1824535_1824535.jpg)

> “Tear thyself from delay.”

[Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/)

## About This Quote

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

Encourages immediate action, rejecting procrastination.

**In simple terms:** Act now, avoid delay.

Key Takeaway

Seize the moment without hesitation.

Themes

motivation time management action self-discipline

Mood

inspirational urgent

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal projects
- career goals
- daily tasks

Key Concepts

philosophy productivity self-improvement

Questions to Reflect On

- What tasks are you postponing?
- How can you create immediate momentum?

A Different Perspective

Delay can become habit.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Delay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delay/) [Procrastination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/procrastination/) [Tear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tear/) [Tear Thyself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tear-thyself-2222946/) [Tears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tears/) [Thyself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thyself/) [Thyself Delay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thyself-delay-2222947/)

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> [With certain projects, there are delays, and with others, things come together very quickly. It can be frustrating but it's not uncommon, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-crampton/with-certain-projects-there-are-delays-and-with-others-things-come/)

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> [“For myself the delay may be compared with a reprieve; for in confidence I assure you, with the world it would obtain little credit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/for-myself-the-delay-may-be-compared-with-a-reprieve-for-in/)

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> [Life admits not of delays; when pleasure can be had, it is fit to catch it. Every hour takes away part of the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/life-admits-not-of-delays-when-pleasure-can-be-had-it-is-fit-to-catch/)

[Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/)

> [Never do today what you can put off till tomorrow. Delay may give clearer light as to what is best to be done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-burr/never-do-today-what-you-can-put-off-till-tomorrow-delay-may-give/)

[Aaron Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-burr/)

> [Delays are as much a part of God plan as answered prayers. God wants you to trust him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/delays-are-as-much-a-part-of-god-plan-as-answered-prayers-god-wants/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [Face troubles from their birth, for 'tis too late to cure When long delay has given the evil strength. Haste then; postpone not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/face-troubles-from-their-birth-for-tis-too-late-to-cure-when-long/)

[Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/)

> [ When a man's life is at stake no delay is too long. \[Lat., Nulla unquam de morte cunctatio longa est.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/when-a-man-s-life-is-at-stake-no-delay-is-too-long-lat-nulla-unquam/)

[Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/)

> [ \[Every\] hour of delay abates the fame and force of the invader, and multiplies the resources of defensive war. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/every-hour-of-delay-abates-the-fame-and-force-of-the-invader-and/)

[Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/)

> [A delay does not solve the revenue problem,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-nickels/a-delay-does-not-solve-the-revenue-problem/)

[Greg Nickels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-nickels/)

> [I think FB should have a '5 second delay' after hitting ENTER; giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janie-ortiz/i-think-fb-should-have-a-5-second-delay-after-hitting-enter-giving/)

[Janie Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janie-ortiz/)

> [Procrastination comes in two types. Some of us procrastinate in order to pursue restful activities - spending time in bed, watching TV - while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-levitin/procrastination-comes-in-two-types-some-of-us-procrastinate-in-order/)

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> [Circumstances may cause interruptions and delays, but never lose sight of your goal. Prepare yourself in every way you can by increasing your knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/circumstances-may-cause-interruptions-and-delays-but-never-lose-sight/)

[Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/)

> [Even speed, when we are anxious, seems like delay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/even-speed-when-we-are-anxious-seems-like-delay/)

[Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/)

## More by Horace

> [Strange - is it not? That of the myriads who Before us passed the door of Darkness through, Not one returns to tell us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/strange-is-it-not-that-of-the-myriads-who-before-us-passed-the-door/)

[Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/)

> [“Finxerunt animi, raro et perpauca loquentis. (To action little, less to words inclinded.)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/finxerunt-animi-raro-et-perpauca-loquentis-to-action-little-less-to/)

[Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/)

> [No verse can give pleasure for long, nor last, that is written by drinkers of water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/no-verse-can-give-pleasure-for-long-nor-last-that-is-written-by/)

[Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/)

> [Fate with impartial hand turns out the doom of high and low; her capacious urn is constantly shaking the names of all mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/fate-with-impartial-hand-turns-out-the-doom-of-high-and-low-her/)

[Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/)

> [A word, once sent abroad, flies irrevocably.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/a-word-once-sent-abroad-flies-irrevocably/)

[Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/)

> [“Natales grate numeras? (Do you count your birthdays with gratitude?)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/natales-grate-numeras-do-you-count-your-birthdays-with-gratitude/)

[Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/)

> [ In a moment comes either death or joyful victory. \[Lat., Horae Momento cita mors venit aut victoria laeta.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/in-a-moment-comes-either-death-or-joyful-victory-lat-horae-momento/)

[Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/)

> [Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori - It is a sweet and becoming thing to die for ones country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/dulce-et-decorum-est-pro-patria-mori-it-is-a-sweet-and-becoming-thing/)

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> [ Neither men, nor gods, nor booksellers' shelves permit ordinary poets to exist. \[Lat., Mediocribus esse poetis Non homines, non di, non concessere columnae.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/neither-men-nor-gods-nor-booksellers-shelves-permit-ordinary-poets-to/)

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> [Don't yield to that alluring witch, laziness, or else be prepared to surrender all that you have won in your better moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/don-t-yield-to-that-alluring-witch-laziness-or-else-be-prepared-to/)

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> [Never despair while under the guidance and auspices of Teucer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/never-despair-while-under-the-guidance-and-auspices-of-teucer/)

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> [Alas, Postumus, the fleeting years slip by, nor will piety give any stay to wrinkles and pressing old age and untamable death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/alas-postumus-the-fleeting-years-slip-by-nor-will-piety-give-any-stay/)

[Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/)

[Explore all 1,000 Horace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/)

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> [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/)

[Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/)

> [The execution was set for the 29th of March, at nine in the morning. This delay was due to a desire on the part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/the-execution-was-set-for-the-29th-of-march-at-nine-in-the-morning/)

[Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/)

> [Even speed, when we are anxious, seems like delay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/even-speed-when-we-are-anxious-seems-like-delay/)

[Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/)

> [Delay always heeds danger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/delay-always-heeds-danger/)

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

> [The measured blood beats out the year's delay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-bogan/the-measured-blood-beats-out-the-year-s-delay/)

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> [Naturally I feel no shame in writing these things because of the time which separates the moment when they are written--when only I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-ernaux/naturally-i-feel-no-shame-in-writing-these-things-because-of-the-time/)

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> [Systems program building is an entropy-decreasing process, hence inherently metastable. Program maintenance is an entropy-increasing process, and even its most skillful execution only delays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/systems-program-building-is-an-entropy-decreasing-process-hence/)

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[Daniel Levitin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-levitin/)

> [Everyone I have spoken with so far recognises the need for the IRA to respond positively and every has said sooner is better than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitchell-reiss/everyone-i-have-spoken-with-so-far-recognises-the-need-for-the-ira-to/)

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> [If the politics of inaction and delay that have triumphed in this country continues for another decade, then Planetary Purgatory in the likely future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-j-romm/if-the-politics-of-inaction-and-delay-that-have-triumphed-in-this/)

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> [“Delay is never denial.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/delay-is-never-denial/)

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[Jenna Wortham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-wortham/)

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