Fleeting Quote by W. Somerset Maugham
““Time, because it is so fleeting, time, because it is beyond recall, is the most precious of human goods and to squander it is is the most delicate form of dissipation in which man can indulge. Cleopatra dissolved in wine a priceless pearl, but she gave it to Anthony to drink; when you waste the brief golden hours you take the beaker in which the gem is melted and dash its contents to the ground.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham, 1915
Time is the most valuable resource; wasting it is the greatest loss, illustrated by a metaphor of a precious pearl dissolved and discarded.
In simple terms: Time is precious; waste it and lose value.
Key Takeaway
Guard your moments, use them wisely.
Themes
time
value
mortality
choice
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal planning
- career decisions
- creative projects
- health routines
Key Concepts
existentialism
impermanence
resource management
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you measure the worth of your time?
- What habits help you protect precious moments?
A Different Perspective
Time cannot be reclaimed; the metaphor may romanticize loss.
