Inattention to time leads to waste of it. To make the point, Seneca introduces a favorite theme: comparisons of time to material wealth. Life as we receive it is not short, but we make it so; nor do we have any lack of it, but we are wasteful of it. Just as great and princely wealth is scattered in a moment when it comes into the hands of a bad owner – while wealth, however limited, if it is entrusted to a good guardian, increases with use – so our life is amply long for him who orders it properly. Seneca, On the Shortness of Life 1.4
