Another man Quote by Seneca the Younger
“Only a great man, believe me, and one whose excellence rises far above human failings, will not allow anything to be stolen from his own span of time, and his life is very long precisely because he has devoted to himself entirely any time that became available. None of it lay uncultivated and idle, none was under another man's control, for guarding it most jealously, he found nothing worth exchanging for his own precious time.”
About This Quote
Source Letter to Lucilius, 63 AD
A great person protects his time fiercely, using it productively and never allowing it to be wasted or controlled by others.
In simple terms: Time is precious; guard it and use it wisely.
Key Takeaway
Guard your time and use it purposefully.
Themes
time management
self-discipline
legacy
Mood
reflective
practical
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career planning
- creative work
- personal development
- daily routines
- goal setting
Key Concepts
Stoicism
personal sovereignty
productivity
Questions to Reflect On
- What habits protect your time?
- How do you say no to time‑draining requests?
A Different Perspective
External demands can still intrude.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
