--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If time, like money, could be laid by…" description: "\"If time, like money, could be laid by while one was not using it, there might be some excuse for the idleness of half of the world, but yet not a full ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/178/laurence-sterne-1405_coin_if-time-like-money-could-be-laid-by-whil_459564.jpg" --- # If time, like money, could be laid by while one was not… ![“If time, like money, could be laid by while one was not using it, there might be some excuse for the idleness of half of the world, but yet not a full one. For even this would be such an economy as the living on a principal sum, without making it purchase interest.” quote by Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/178/laurence-sterne-1405_coin_if-time-like-money-could-be-laid-by-whil_459564.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/178/laurence-sterne-1405_coin_if-time-like-money-could-be-laid-by-whil_459564.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/178/laurence-sterne-1405_coin_if-time-like-money-could-be-laid-by-whil_459564.jpg) > “If time, like money, could be laid by while one was not using it, there might be some excuse for the idleness of half of the world, but yet not a full one. For even this would be such an economy as the living on a principal sum, without making it purchase interest.” [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Idle time is often justified as an investment, but without productive use it yields no real return. **In simple terms:** Idle time without effort yields no benefit. Key Takeaway Use time productively. Themes productivity economics idleness Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical advisory When to use this quote - personal finance - career development - creative projects Key Concepts Opportunity cost investment time management Questions to Reflect On - How can you turn idle moments into productive ones? - What activities add real value to your life? A Different Perspective Time cannot generate value without action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economics/) [Economy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economy/) [Idleness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idleness/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“That was the big cure-all with these people, wasn’t it? Girl got you down? Get laid. No money? Get laid. Armageddon ensuing? 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