--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A man who keeps a diary pays, Due toll to…" description: "\"A man who keeps a diary pays, Due toll to many tedious days; But life becomes eventful—then, His busy hand forgets the pen. Most books, indeed, are rec..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c64/william-allingham-16552_book_a-man-who-keeps-a-diary-pays-due-toll-to_2040156.png" --- # A man who keeps a diary pays, Due toll to many tedious… ![“A man who keeps a diary pays, Due toll to many tedious days; But life becomes eventful—then, His busy hand forgets the pen. Most books, indeed, are records less Of fulness than of emptiness.” quote by William Allingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c64/william-allingham-16552_book_a-man-who-keeps-a-diary-pays-due-toll-to_2040156.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c64/william-allingham-16552_book_a-man-who-keeps-a-diary-pays-due-toll-to_2040156.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c64/william-allingham-16552_book_a-man-who-keeps-a-diary-pays-due-toll-to_2040156.png) > “A man who keeps a diary pays, Due toll to many tedious days; But life becomes eventful—then, His busy hand forgets the pen. Most books, indeed, are records less Of fulness than of emptiness.” [William Allingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-allingham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Suggests that keeping a diary records mundane days, but life’s busyness can cause one to neglect writing, making diaries reflect emptiness more than fullness. **In simple terms:** Diaries capture routine, but busy life may leave them empty. Key Takeaway Write regularly despite busyness. Themes reflection writing life time Mood reflective melancholic inspirational Type poem advice philosophical When to use this quote - personal reflection - creative writing - daily habit Key Concepts journaling memory mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - How can you capture meaningful moments in a diary? - What balance between recording and living feels right? A Different Perspective Even with effort, diaries may miss deeper experiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Busy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/busy/) [Diaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diaries/) [Diary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diary/) [Emptiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emptiness/) [Forget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forget/) [Forgets Pen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgets-pen-3792318/) [Hand Forgets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hand-forgets-3792320/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Keeps Diary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keeps-diary-3792319/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Pay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pay/) [Pens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pens/) [Records](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/records/) [Tedious Days](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tedious-days-3792321/) [Tolls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tolls/) ## Related quotes > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Who can fear Too many stars, though each in heaven shall roll- Too many flowers, though each shall crown the year? 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