"Procrastination Is The Thief Of Time": Exploring The Timeless Proverb

Picture yourself on an exciting treasure hunt, searching for a box filled with advice that’s stood the test of time. Today, you’re invited to embark on this adventure, with one of the most famous and intriguing sayings about procrastination: “Procrastination is the Thief of Time.”

Your adventure will take you back through the ages, exploring the fascinating history of this impactful phrase. You’ll learn where it came from, who said it, what it really means, and how it evolved.

You might wonder why you should care about an old saying. Well, understanding the wise words from the past can help you handle today’s challenges and plan for tomorrow’s possibilities.

The saying “Procrastination is the Thief of Time” isn’t just an old phrase. It’s a treasure trove of wise thoughts about how you use—or fail to use—your most precious resource: time.

Are you ready to begin this thrilling journey and uncover more about this timeless wisdom? Let’s start!

Who Said “Procrastination Is the Thief of Time”?

The well-known adage “Procrastination is the Thief of Time” was originally written in the 18th century by Edward Young, an English poet, in his work “Night-Thoughts”.

Edward Young was an English poet, born in Upham, a small village near Winchester, in 1683.

Young got his education at Winchester College and then studied law at New College, Oxford. Despite his early training in law, Young found his passion in poetry and devoted his life to literary pursuits.

Young’s best-known work is “Night-Thoughts,” published between 1742 and 1745. The poem, inspired by the successive tragedies in the Author’s life, is a long didactic verse exploring themes of death and immortality. The line “Procrastination is the thief of time” comes from this work and has become a well-known proverb.

Edward Young also had a successful career as a dramatist. He was well-regarded in the royal court and was named royal chaplain in 1730.

Despite his success, Young’s personal life was marked by tragedy. His wife, stepdaughter and her husband all died within a few years of each other, which had a profound impact on his writing.

Young died in 1765. His works, particularly “Night-Thoughts,” continued to be read and appreciated long after his death, and his reflections on life, death, and even procrastination continue to resonate with readers today.

What Is the Origin of The Proverb “Procrastination Is the Thief of Time”?

This saying first appeared in a long poem called “Night-Thoughts” written by the English poet, Edward Young, in the 1742.

“Night-Thoughts” is a collection of poems that was published in nine parts, or “nights.” The poetry collection was an exploration of life, death, and immortality, created to resemble a trip through the darkness of night. But back then, the saying was a bit longer and more complex.

Edward Young wrote:

As sudden, though for years admonished home:

Of human ills the last extreme beware,

Beware, Lorenzo! a slow-sudden death.

How dreadful that deliberate surprise?

Be wise today, ’tis madness to defer;

Next day the fatal precedent will plead;

Thus on, till wisdom is pushed out of life:

Procrastination is the thief of time,

Year after year it steals, till all are fled,

And to the mercies of a moment leaves

The vast concerns of an eternal scene.

This poem serves as a powerful warning against the dangers of procrastination. The speaker, addressing Lorenzo, cautions him against ignoring the impending doom that can come from constantly delaying actions, referring to it as a “slow-sudden death.” This might feel sudden, yet we are warned about it for years.

In his poem, Young uses the line to show how delaying actions can result in wasted time. He warns that each day we put off our tasks and responsibilities, we lose valuable time. This time, once lost, can never be recovered. Over the years, this line from Young’s poem has been picked up and used by many, evolving into the well-known proverb we use today.

“Procrastination Is the Thief of Time” : Notable Quotes

Over time, the quote was shortened and became popularized as “Procrastination is the Thief of Time.” It began to be widely quoted in various forms of literature, speeches, and daily conversations.

From celebrated authors like Charles Dickens, who reflected its essence in his characters, to modern-day motivational speakers and educators, this saying continues to resonate.

Let’s explore how this famous quote has been utilized by some noteworthy figures.

“My advice is, never do tomorrow what you can to-day. procrastination is the thief of time. Collar him.”

— Charles Dickens, in his 1850 novel “David Copperfield”

“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late.

Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked, and dejected with a lost opportunity. The ‘tide in the affairs of men’ does not remain at the flood; it ebbs.

We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is deaf to every plea and rushes on.

Over the bleached bones and jumbled residue of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words: ‘Too late.’ There is an invisible book of life that faithfully records our vigilance or our neglect.”

— Martin Luther King, in “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence” (a 1967 speech at Riverside Church in New York City)

“Procrastination, the thief of time, is one of the devil’s most potent weapons for defrauding us of eternal heritage.

— J. Oswald Sanders, in his book “Spiritual Leadership: A Commitment to Excellence for Every Believer”

The greatest thief this world has ever produced is procrastination, and he is still at large.

— Josh Billings (the pen name American humorist of Henry Wheeler Shaw)

“The assumption of time is one of humanity’s greatest follies. We tell ourselves that there’s always tomorrow, when we can no more predict tomorrow than we can the weather. Procrastination is the thief of dreams.”

— Richard Paul Evans, In his book “The Walk”

“Take Action on Your Plan Immediately. Take the first step—and then the second step and the third step. Get going. Get busy. Move quickly. Don’t delay. Remember: Procrastination is not only the thief of time; it is the thief of life.”

— Brian Tracy, In his book “No Excuses!: The Power of Self-Discipline”

“Procrastination, Tom.’ ‘Yes – I know. It’s the thief of time.”

— Rachel Abbott, In his book “Stranger Child”

Although the saying has changed a bit over time, but its basic message is the same. It’s a warning to you that when you put things off, you’re just basically stealing time from yourself.

Why Procrastination Is the Thief of Time

The proverb communicates the idea that when you delay or postpone actions unnecessarily, you waste time that you could otherwise use productively. It is a reminder that time, once passed, cannot be regained.

When you procrastinate, you’re essentially allowing time to slip away, much like a thief stealing something precious. Instead of using that time effectively to complete tasks or pursue goals, you lose it to indecision, distraction, or laziness. Over time, these small moments can add up, and you may find that procrastination has stolen more time than you realized.

In a broader sense, it can also suggest that chronic procrastination could lead to missed opportunities, as time spent in hesitation or postponement could have been used to learn, grow, or accomplish something valuable.

Moreover, chronic procrastination can lead to stress, poor performance, and reduced well-being, which further emphasizes how procrastination can “rob” you of your potential, peace of mind, and satisfaction.

“Procrastination Is the Thief of Time” can be viewed as a warning about the potential negative impact of procrastination on your life and achievements. The saying encourages you to be mindful of your time, to be decisive, and to act, when necessary, rather than delay.

Procrastination Is the Thief of Time : Examples

let’s go through a few relatable examples that illustrate how Procrastination is indeed the thief of time.

Academic Procrastination: you’re a student with a major project due in a week. Instead of starting right away, you decide to hang out with friends, watch TV, or play video games, thinking there’s plenty of time. Suddenly, it’s the night before the deadline, and you’re rushing to complete the project.
The time you spent procrastinating is lost, and you can’t get it back to do a better job on the project.
Workplace Procrastination: Consider you’re working in a job and there’s an opportunity for a promotion that requires you to learn a new skill. You plan to take an online course but keep delaying enrollment. Meanwhile, a colleague takes the initiative, learns the skill, and gets the promotion.
Procrastination has cost you time and potentially, a career opportunity.
Financial Procrastination: Maybe you’re thinking about saving for retirement. Instead of starting now, you tell yourself you’ll do it next year, continuing to spend money thoughtlessly.

However, with each year you put it off, you miss out on potential earnings from interest and end up with lesser savings for your retirement. In this way, procrastination is robbing you of your future financial stability.

Health Procrastination: Let’s say you want to lose weight and get in shape. You keep telling yourself you’ll start eating healthier and exercising “tomorrow.” But if tomorrow keeps getting postponed to the next day, you’re not making progress towards your goals.
The valuable time that could have been used for enhancing your health gets stolen away by procrastination.

Over time, constant delays can lead to further health issues due to poor lifestyle choices. The adverse effects on your health could become irreversible, adding a sense of urgency and loss to the time already wasted.

These examples demonstrate how procrastination can rob you of valuable time that could be used more productively. In each scenario, the procrastination didn’t just waste time—it also cost opportunities, progress, and potential benefits. Moreover, Procrastination leads to negative consequences that might impact your health, career, and financial stability.

Takeways

“Procrastination is the Thief of Time” is a famous proverb that warns about the consequences of delaying or postponing actions unnecessarily. It conveys the idea that time, once wasted, cannot be recovered and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the value of time and the need to use it wisely.

This saying originated in the 18th century from the works of Edward Young, an English poet, who wrote this memorable phrase in his collection of poems called “Night-Thoughts.”

This timeless saying has resonated with many notable figures throughout history, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Charles Dickens, who have quoted and embraced its wisdom. The widespread use of this proverb by influential individuals further emphasizes its significance.

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About the author

My name is Sam David. I am the founder of "Proactivity Lab," a website that provides comprehensive strategies and resources for understanding and overcoming procrastination.

The website's resources are the culmination of more than 20 years of research and experience, during which I embarked on a long and gruelling journey of study and self-discovery.

Being a former procrastinator myself, it took me years of investigation and numerous trials and errors to gain a clear understanding of the underlying causes of procrastination and the most effective and scientifically supported strategies to permanently conquer the vicious cycle of procrastination.

I would like to share my knowledge with you, for free.