--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Who has never killed an hour? Not…" description: "\"“Who has never killed an hour? Not casually or without thought, but carefully: a premeditated murder of minutes. The violence comes from a combination ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fa/mark-z-danielewski-2497_kill_who-has-never-killed-an-hour-not-casuall_2833061.png" --- # Who has never killed an hour? Not casually or without… ![“Who has never killed an hour? Not casually or without thought, but carefully: a premeditated murder of minutes. The violence comes from a combination of giving up, not caring, and a resignation that getting past it is all you can hope to accomplish. So you kill the hour. You do not work, you do…” quote by Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fa/mark-z-danielewski-2497_kill_who-has-never-killed-an-hour-not-casuall_2833061.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fa/mark-z-danielewski-2497_kill_who-has-never-killed-an-hour-not-casuall_2833061.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fa/mark-z-danielewski-2497_kill_who-has-never-killed-an-hour-not-casuall_2833061.png) > ““Who has never killed an hour? Not casually or without thought, but carefully: a premeditated murder of minutes. The violence comes from a combination of giving up, not caring, and a resignation that getting past it is all you can hope to accomplish. So you kill the hour. You do not work, you do not read, you do not daydream. If you sleep it is not because you need to sleep. And when at last it is over, there is no evidence: no weapon, no blood, and no body. The only clue might be the shadows beneath your eyes or a terribly thin line near the corner of your mouth indicating something has been suffered, that in the privacy of your life you have lost something and the loss is too empty to share.”” [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Wasting time is a deliberate act of self‑destruction, eroding purpose and meaning. **In simple terms:** Killing time destroys purpose. Key Takeaway Guard your time fiercely. Themes time meaning self‑destruction Mood introspective somber Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - work habits - creative pursuits - mental health - daily routines Key Concepts existentialism mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What activities truly recharge you? - How can you distinguish productive pause from waste? A Different Perspective Not all idle moments are harmful; rest can be restorative. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Kill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kill/) [Kill Hour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kill-hour-1944203/) [Killed Hour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killed-hour-2329119/) [Murder Minutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/murder-minutes-3671895/) [Premeditated Murder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/premeditated-murder-551988/) [Thin line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thin-line/) [Ur Eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ur-eyes/) ## Related quotes > [Who has never killed an hour? ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/who-has-never-killed-an-hour/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [“Don't make me kill you at this hour in the morning Jimmy. It's not civilized.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-scott/don-t-make-me-kill-you-at-this-hour-in-the-morning-jimmy-it-s-not/) [Kylie Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-scott/) > [That was the truly horrifying thing about it: the sense of time as an enemy, to be fought tooth and nail--but there was so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-j-parker/that-was-the-truly-horrifying-thing-about-it-the-sense-of-time-as-an/) [K.J. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-j-parker/) > [What was premeditated murder if not calculated leverage?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/what-was-premeditated-murder-if-not-calculated-leverage/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [“Here's what I know. There are usually two reasons people commit premeditated murder. Love and money.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-ann-walker/here-s-what-i-know-there-are-usually-two-reasons-people-commit/) [Julie Ann Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-ann-walker/) > [Most of us continue to believe that those who show utter contempt for human life by committing remorseless, premeditated murder justly forfeit the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kozinski/most-of-us-continue-to-believe-that-those-who-show-utter-contempt-for/) [Alex Kozinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kozinski/) > [Every premeditated murder is always governed by a preparatory ceremonial and is always followed by a propitiatory ceremonial. The meaning of both eludes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-genet/every-premeditated-murder-is-always-governed-by-a-preparatory/) [Jean Genet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-genet/) > [Suicide is a form of murder - premeditated murder. It isn't something you do the first time you think of doing it. It takes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-kaysen/suicide-is-a-form-of-murder-premeditated-murder-it-isn-t-something/) [Susanna Kaysen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-kaysen/) > [I am no longer taking part in the intentional, premeditated murder of innocent beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-yourofsky/i-am-no-longer-taking-part-in-the-intentional-premeditated-murder-of/) [Gary Yourofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-yourofsky/) > [We have carried out the attempted premeditated murder of an entire nation. We were caught in that criminal act and have been obstructed. Now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimitrije-tucovic/we-have-carried-out-the-attempted-premeditated-murder-of-an-entire/) [Dimitrije Tucovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimitrije-tucovic/) > [“A shaman walks the thin line of insanity and bliss.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lori-morrison/a-shaman-walks-the-thin-line-of-insanity-and-bliss/) [Lori Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lori-morrison/) > [“My eyes unapologetically trailed down the length of his torso, down the thin line of hair leading into his underwear and stopped on his…massive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-ward/my-eyes-unapologetically-trailed-down-the-length-of-his-torso-down/) [Penelope Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-ward/) > [All of the films I have made, that I have chosen to make, are all about the thin line between good and evil. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-friedkin/all-of-the-films-i-have-made-that-i-have-chosen-to-make-are-all-about/) [William Friedkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-friedkin/) > [There is a very thin line dividing characterisation from impersonation. I've to make sure I don't cross over into mimicry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushant-singh-rajput/there-is-a-very-thin-line-dividing-characterisation-from/) [Sushant Singh Rajput](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sushant-singh-rajput/) > [“Potter! Weasley! What are you doing?” It was Professor McGonagall, and her mouth was the thinnest of thin lines. “We were — we were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/potter-weasley-what-are-you-doing-it-was-professor-mcgonagall-and-her/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) ## More by Mark Z. Danielewski > [“Her. Her. Her. Future breezes implore me to stay. But I'm no future. I'm no past. Only ever contemporary of this path. I'll sacrifice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/her-her-her-future-breezes-implore-me-to-stay-but-i-m-no-future-i-m/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [Keep true to the rare music in your heart, to the marvelous and unique form that is and shall always be nothing else but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/keep-true-to-the-rare-music-in-your-heart-to-the-marvelous-and-unique/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [We all create stories to protect ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/we-all-create-stories-to-protect-ourselves/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [“Even up until these final eons of time, we felt we could create anything. We could build ourselves a heaven. But why? We were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/even-up-until-these-final-eons-of-time-we-felt-we-could-create/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [I'm a big believer in big books, and that doesn't necessarily mean long books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/i-m-a-big-believer-in-big-books-and-that-doesn-t-necessarily-mean/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [“the seriousness of emotional deprivation: It is not difficult to understand how children who have suffered from malnutrition or starvation need food and plenty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/the-seriousness-of-emotional-deprivation-it-is-not-difficult-to/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [The greatest of love letters are always coded for the one and not the many.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/the-greatest-of-love-letters-are-always-coded-for-the-one-and-not-the/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [Scientists estimate the universe unfolded from its state of infinite destiny\* - a moment commonly referred to as "the big bang" - approximately 1.3-2…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/scientists-estimate-the-universe-unfolded-from-its-state-of-infinite/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [“- Whenever we roam be beside me. When you're allone. When you go. When no one comes along. And for all we Wander. Encounter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/whenever-we-roam-be-beside-me-when-you-re-allone-when-you-go-when-no/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [I want something else. I'm not even sure what to call it anymore except I know it feels roomy and it's drenched in sunlight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/i-want-something-else-i-m-not-even-sure-what-to-call-it-anymore/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [“However, The haven-Slocum Theory also points out that this course is not without risk. An even greater number of people dwelling on The Navidson…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/however-the-haven-slocum-theory-also-points-out-that-this-course-is/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [“What can I say? I'm taken; I love how enthralled she remains by this festival of living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/what-can-i-say-i-m-taken-i-love-how-enthralled-she-remains-by-this/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [“There's only one choice now: finish what Zampanò himself failed to finish. Re-inter this thing in a binding tomb. Make it only a book.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/there-s-only-one-choice-now-finish-what-zampan-himself-failed-to/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > [No gunfire, famine, or flies. Just lots of toothpaste, gardening and people stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/no-gunfire-famine-or-flies-just-lots-of-toothpaste-gardening-and/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) > ['Lord of the Rings' was a set of books in which the world had been conceived before the characters were placed within that context.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-z-danielewski/lord-of-the-rings-was-a-set-of-books-in-which-the-world-had-been/) [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) [Explore all 162 Mark Z. Danielewski quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-z-danielewski/) ## More Kill quotes > [Let us kill all lawyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/let-us-kill-all-lawyers/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“If you’ve bullshitted me, angel, I’m going to kill you.” The other male rolled his eyes. “I’m already dead, idiot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/if-you-ve-bullshitted-me-angel-i-m-going-to-kill-you-the-other-male/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [What doesnt kill you makes you stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bubbly/what-doesnt-kill-you-makes-you-stronger/) [Bubbly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bubbly/) > [Curiosity Can Kill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anison/curiosity-can-kill/) [Anison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anison/) > [Don't smoke. Don't kill yourselves. Don't maim yourselves. Tell your friends. Please don't smoke.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-eszterhas/don-t-smoke-don-t-kill-yourselves-don-t-maim-yourselves-tell-your/) [Joe Eszterhas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-eszterhas/) > [“The only ones who kill are those prepared to be killed”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lelouch-vi-britannia/the-only-ones-who-kill-are-those-prepared-to-be-killed/) [Lelouch Vi Britannia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lelouch-vi-britannia/) > [Boredom is vastly underrated. Boredom means that nothing is trying to kill you every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-hobb/boredom-is-vastly-underrated-boredom-means-that-nothing-is-trying-to/) [Robin Hobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-hobb/) > [“I’m going to kill Mr. Mysterious for this. Kill that crazy motherfucker. Why does he have to live on the edge all the time?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-huss/i-m-going-to-kill-mr-mysterious-for-this-kill-that-crazy-motherfucker/) [J.A. Huss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-huss/) > [“Be that as it may, we do need you in particular to complete this assignment. (Syd) What is it with you government assholes that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/be-that-as-it-may-we-do-need-you-in-particular-to-complete-this/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“I'm only one kill away from Command Assassin. Be a damn shame for that kill to be you" (Darion)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/i-m-only-one-kill-away-from-command-assassin-be-a-damn-shame-for-that/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“Well, let's say you heard a fight in the boys' bathroom, and you broke it up. What would you do naturally if you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-echols/well-let-s-say-you-heard-a-fight-in-the-boys-bathroom-and-you-broke/) [Jennifer Echols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-echols/) > [Nothing will kill what you've been called to do more than comparing yourself to someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/nothing-will-kill-what-you-ve-been-called-to-do-more-than-comparing/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [I imagine that in a closed, hermetic society like the mob, where everybody knows each other, it must be really, really unpleasant to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-dominik/i-imagine-that-in-a-closed-hermetic-society-like-the-mob-where/) [Andrew Dominik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-dominik/) > [I think if you keep the box closed long enough you do kill the cat, actually.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-think-if-you-keep-the-box-closed-long-enough-you-do-kill-the-cat/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“Fuck, Princess. You kill me. Every damn time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarina-bowen/fuck-princess-you-kill-me-every-damn-time/) [Sarina Bowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarina-bowen/) [Browse all 3,038 Kill quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kill/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Who has never killed an hour? Not casually or without thought, but carefully: a premeditated murder of minutes. The violence comes from a combination of giving up, not caring, and a resignation that getting past it is all you can hope to accomplish. So you kill the hour. You do not work, you do not read, you do not daydream. If you sleep it is not because you need to sleep. And when at last it is over, there is no evidence: no weapon, no blood, and no body. 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