“I wasted time and now doth time waste me” is a line from Richard II by William Shakespeare that expresses regret for inaction and the consequences of that inaction. It can also be interpreted as a way of saying “the early bird gets the worm”.
In the play, the line appears in Act 5, Scene 5. The character Richard II says the line to lament what could have been done to prevent a current catastrophe. The line also describes Richard's thoughts as a relentless barrage of conflicting, futile voices.
The full quote: "I wasted time, and now doth time waste me; For now hath time made me his numbering clock: My thoughts are minutes; and with sighs they jar their watches on unto mine eyes, the outward watch.".
- Source: Google
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When I read this line from the Bard of Avon this morning, it stuck me as an English version to "少年不努力,老大徒傷悲", which was often told by our parents and teachers to us when we were young. And we might have said the same (or an equivalent English version) to our children.
Some also said that "time is money", "wasted time is worse than wasted money", and even: "浪費時間等於謀財害命" ... ...
Oh boy, it sounded more and more serious, might be too much for Wilbur the pig who likes to stand perfectly still and think of what it was like to be alive ... ...
So let's go for a more positive closure: “Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” — Marthe Troly-Curtin.
Wish you all an enjoyable Wednesday!