--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being early meant being on time. Being on…" description: "\"“Being early meant being on time. Being on time meant being late. But being late was unacceptable.”\" — L.C. Perry" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/l-c-perry-56802_etiquette_being-early-meant-being-on-time-being-on_2498544.jpg" --- # Being early meant being on time. Being on time meant being… ![“Being early meant being on time. Being on time meant being late. But being late was unacceptable.” quote by L.C. Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/l-c-perry-56802_etiquette_being-early-meant-being-on-time-being-on_2498544.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/l-c-perry-56802_etiquette_being-early-meant-being-on-time-being-on_2498544.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/l-c-perry-56802_etiquette_being-early-meant-being-on-time-being-on_2498544.jpg) > ““Being early meant being on time. Being on time meant being late. But being late was unacceptable.”” [L.C. Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-c-perry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Timeliness is relative; being early is good, but being late is intolerable. **In simple terms:** Being early is okay, but lateness is not. Key Takeaway Prioritize punctuality. Themes time management discipline expectations Mood practical critical Type advice observational When to use this quote - work meetings - appointments - public events - deadlines Key Concepts punctuality social norms Questions to Reflect On - How strict should you be about being on time? - What factors cause chronic lateness? A Different Perspective Cultural expectations may vary on acceptable lateness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Etiquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/etiquette/) [Late](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/late/) [Late Late](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/late-late/) [Late Unacceptable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/late-unacceptable-783392/) [Meant Late](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meant-late-1037421/) [Meant Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meant-time-278270/) [Punctual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punctual/) [Punctuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punctuality/) [Tardiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tardiness/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time Meant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-meant-283145/) ## Related quotes > [early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-jerome-dickey/early-is-on-time-on-time-is-late-and-late-is-unacceptable/) [Eric Jerome Dickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-jerome-dickey/) > [When two people are meant for each other, no time is too long, no distance is too far, and no one can ever tear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-two-people-are-meant-for-each-other-no-time-is-too-long-no/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No more stressing. If its meant to be it will be if not then its time to move on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-more-stressing-if-its-meant-to-be-it-will-be-if-not-then-its-time/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Maybe what River had meant was that time itself was like a river, moving steadily forward, and you got to be in a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-tiernan/maybe-what-river-had-meant-was-that-time-itself-was-like-a-river/) [Cate Tiernan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-tiernan/) > [WE need to let The TIME decide if we are really meant to be for each other. The time shows true love, because if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mia/we-need-to-let-the-time-decide-if-we-are-really-meant-to-be-for-each/) [Mia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mia/) > [“What was meant was that time is something you have to hold on to and the place where we examined it that first time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-h-eg/what-was-meant-was-that-time-is-something-you-have-to-hold-on-to-and/) [Peter Høeg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-h-eg/) > [“You were born to be a player. You were meant to be here. This is your time. Now get out there and take it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-brooks/you-were-born-to-be-a-player-you-were-meant-to-be-here-this-is-your/) [Herb Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-brooks/) > [“Let’s take a look at how modern life goes. Mostly, it’s frenetic and at a pace that’s not conducive to reflective thought./ It’s all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-wilson/let-s-take-a-look-at-how-modern-life-goes-mostly-it-s-frenetic-and-at/) [Sarah Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-wilson/) > [When two people are meant for each other, no time is too long, no distance is too far, no one canever tear them apart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tinku-razoria/when-two-people-are-meant-for-each-other-no-time-is-too-long-no-5/) [Tinku Razoria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tinku-razoria/) > [When two people are meant for each other, no time is too long, no distance is too far, and nobody can keep them apart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-two-people-are-meant-for-each-other-no-time-is-too-long-no-4/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When two people are meant for each other, no time is too long, no distance is too far, no one can ever tear them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-mcglory/when-two-people-are-meant-for-each-other-no-time-is-too-long-no-3/) [Greg Mcglory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-mcglory/) > [How could she go on without him? And, at the same time, how could she go on knowing that every moment of their time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/how-could-she-go-on-without-him-and-at-the-same-time-how-could-she-go/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [All the RIGHT THINGS in due time...if it's meant to be, it will be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-the-right-things-in-due-time-if-it-s-meant-to-be-it-will-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“As you play this record, I hope you'll think of the good, not the bad. Of what was, not what wasn't meant to be.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-ford/as-you-play-this-record-i-hope-you-ll-think-of-the-good-not-the-bad/) [Jamie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-ford/) > [Ive said its over between us At least 3 or 4 times And never meant it Youve never said its over between us But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ive-said-its-over-between-us-at-least-3-or-4-times-and-never-meant-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by L.C. Perry > [“Beauty will always be a curse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-c-perry/beauty-will-always-be-a-curse/) [L.C. Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-c-perry/) > [“Don't look like you're going to cry all the time." She scowled. "Tears are one of their favourite drinks around here.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-c-perry/don-t-look-like-you-re-going-to-cry-all-the-time-she-scowled-tears/) [L.C. Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-c-perry/) > [“You are no one. No one at all. And for that reason, you exist only to serve those in power. Never for yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-c-perry/you-are-no-one-no-one-at-all-and-for-that-reason-you-exist-only-to/) [L.C. Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-c-perry/) > [“To all those aspiring writers who dream first and sleep later.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-c-perry/to-all-those-aspiring-writers-who-dream-first-and-sleep-later/) [L.C. Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-c-perry/) > [“A dancer who continued dancing even after the song was over”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-c-perry/a-dancer-who-continued-dancing-even-after-the-song-was-over/) [L.C. Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-c-perry/) [Explore all 6 L.C. Perry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-c-perry/) ## More Etiquette quotes > [Humility simply means that you do a great job at everything and it isn't really a big deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/humility-simply-means-that-you-do-a-great-job-at-everything-and-it/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Nothing more rapidly inclines a person to go into a monastery than reading a book on etiquette. There are so many trivial ways in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/nothing-more-rapidly-inclines-a-person-to-go-into-a-monastery-than/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [The Australian Book of Etiquette is a very slim volume.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-theroux/the-australian-book-of-etiquette-is-a-very-slim-volume/) [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) > [Any individual is capable of realizing the truth at any time. No tradition is necessary, no chain, no lineage. Once you have realized the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/any-individual-is-capable-of-realizing-the-truth-at-any-time-no/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [What is important in self-discovery is the person who keeps going, who has a smile, who is kind to others, who works hard at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/what-is-important-in-self-discovery-is-the-person-who-keeps-going-who/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [There is a strange taboo in our society against ending something merely because it is not pleasant-- life, love, a conversation, you name it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-dewitt/there-is-a-strange-taboo-in-our-society-against-ending-something/) [Helen DeWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-dewitt/) > [Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-post/manners-are-a-sensitive-awareness-of-the-feelings-of-others/) [Emily Post](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-post/) > [Do not feel that you are destined not to make that final liberation in this life. This is egotism in a reverse form. Don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/do-not-feel-that-you-are-destined-not-to-make-that-final-liberation/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“When you know you can do something, and you feel good about yourself, you do not have to devalue others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-patrick-hickey/when-you-know-you-can-do-something-and-you-feel-good-about-yourself/) [John Patrick Hickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-patrick-hickey/) > [Your mantrum is the awareness of the dream - to enjoy and appreciate and have gratitude for all; neither to condemn nor to liberate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/your-mantrum-is-the-awareness-of-the-dream-to-enjoy-and-appreciate/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“A token of bathroom stoner etiquette.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/a-token-of-bathroom-stoner-etiquette/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“ Redneck Rules of Etiquette • To avoid bruising wine as you decant it, make sure to tilt the paper cup. • Your centerpiece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-ford/redneck-rules-of-etiquette-to-avoid-bruising-wine-as-you-decant-it/) [Deborah Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-ford/) > [An enlightened teacher simply expresses enlightenment in their life by living. It is the student's job to gain the teachings. The teacher's job is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/an-enlightened-teacher-simply-expresses-enlightenment-in-their-life/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“Traditional values are not gone. They are good netiquette.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-chiles/traditional-values-are-not-gone-they-are-good-netiquette/) [David Chiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-chiles/) > [It is very important to always hold the thought of an enlightened teacher in your mind in a very positive way. When you direct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/it-is-very-important-to-always-hold-the-thought-of-an-enlightened/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) [Browse all 364 Etiquette quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/etiquette/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Being early meant being on time. Being on time meant being late. But being late was unacceptable.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "L.C. Perry" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-c-perry/being-early-meant-being-on-time-being-on-time-meant-being-late-but/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Etiquette" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-c-perry/being-early-meant-being-on-time-being-on-time-meant-being-late-but/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/l-c-perry-56802_etiquette_being-early-meant-being-on-time-being-on_2498544.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/l-c-perry-56802_etiquette_being-early-meant-being-on-time-being-on_2498544.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/l-c-perry-56802_etiquette_being-early-meant-being-on-time-being-on_2498544.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Being early meant being on time. Being on time meant being late. But being late was unacceptable.” — L.C. Perry", "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": "L.C. Perry", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-c-perry/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Being early meant being on time....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-c-perry/being-early-meant-being-on-time-being-on-time-meant-being-late-but/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-c-perry/being-early-meant-being-on-time-being-on-time-meant-being-late-but/#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 } } ] } ```