On the Shortness of Life: Adapted for the Contemporary Reader

by James Harris

It is not that we have a short space of time, but that we waste much of it.

So it is—that the life we receive is not short, but we make it so, and there is no lack of it, but we are wasteful of it.

Vices surround us on every side, and they do not permit us to rise or open our eyes to the truth, but they keep us down once they have overwhelmed us, and chain us to lust.

And then certain men show the most senseless behavior — complaining about the position of the rich, when they contribute to their creation.

There is no reason then, to complain about anyone’s behavior if you cannot endure your own.

In guarding their fortune people are often tightfisted, yet, when it comes to the matter of wasting time, which is the one thing they should have the right to be miserly over, they show themselves most uncontrolled.

You live as if you were destined to live forever, no thought of your frailty ever entered your head, of how much time has already gone by and you take no notice. You squander time as if you had a full and abundant supply, though one day which you waste on some person or thing could be your last. You have all the fears of mortals and all the desires of immortals.

For what can possibly be above him who is above Fortune or fate?

There is nothing the busy man is less occupied with than living: there is nothing that is harder to learn.

All those who summon you for themselves, turn you away from your own self.

Reasons for anxiety will never be lacking, whether born of prosperity or of unhappiness; life pushes on in a succession of engrossments. We shall always pray for leisure, but never enjoy it.