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''Tempus fugit'' is a Latin phrase, usually translated into English as "time flies". The expression comes from line 284 of book 3 of
''Tempus fugit'' is typically employed as an admonition against sloth and procrastination (cf. ''
''Tempus fugit'' is a Latin phrase, usually translated into English as "time flies". The expression comes from line 284 of book 3 of Virgil
Publius Vergilius Maro (; traditional dates 15 October 7021 September 19 BC), usually called Virgil or Vergil ( ) in English, was an ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period. He composed three of the most famous poems in Latin literature: th ...
's ''Georgics
The ''Georgics'' ( ; ) is a poem by Latin poet Virgil, likely published in 29 BCE. As the name suggests (from the Greek word , ''geōrgika'', i.e. "agricultural (things)") the subject of the poem is agriculture; but far from being an example ...
'', Vergilius Maro, Publius. ''Georgicon'', III. c. 29 BC. Hosted at Wikisource
Wikisource is an online digital library of free-content textual sources on a wiki, operated by the Wikimedia Foundation. Wikisource is the name of the project as a whole and the name for each instance of that project (each instance usually re ...
. where it appears as ''fugit'' ''inreparabile'' ''tempus'': "it escapes, irretrievable time". The phrase is used in both its Latin and English forms as a proverb
A proverb (from la, proverbium) is a simple and insightful, traditional saying that expresses a perceived truth based on common sense or experience. Proverbs are often metaphorical and use formulaic language. A proverbial phrase or a proverbia ...
that "time's a-wasting".
Usage
''Tempus fugit'' is typically employed as an admonition against sloth and procrastination (cf. ''carpe diem
is a Latin aphorism, usually translated "seize the day", taken from book 1 of the Roman poet Horace's work ''Odes'' (23 BC).
Translation
is the second-person singular present active imperative of '' carpō'' "pick or pluck" used by Horace t ...
'') rather than an argument for licentiousness (cf. " gather ye rosebuds while ye may"); the English form is often merely descriptive: "time flies like the wind", "time flies when you're having fun".
The phrase is a common motto
A motto (derived from the Latin , 'mutter', by way of Italian , 'word' or 'sentence') is a sentence or phrase expressing a belief or purpose, or the general motivation or intention of an individual, family, social group, or organisation. M ...
, particularly on sundials and clocks. It also has been used on gravestones.
Some writers have attempted rebuttals:
Time goes, you say? Ah, no! alas, time stays, we go. by H(enry) Austin Dobson 1840–1921.
'Hêd Amser! / Meddi Na! / Erys Amser / Dyn Â' on sundial at Univ of Bangor, North Wales. says the sundial was commissioned by Sir William Henry Preece, and offers an English equivalent:
Time flies, thou sayest - Nay! Man flies; Time still doth stay.
Another English version is: Time Flies, Say Not So: Time Remains,'Tis Man Must Go.
In the ''Georgics''
The phrase's full appearance in Virgil's ''Georgics'' is:See also
*Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana
"Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana" is a humorous saying that is used in linguistics as an example of a garden path sentence or syntactic ambiguity, and in word play as an example of punning, double entendre, and antanaclasis.
...
* '' Ars longa, vita brevis''
* ''Carpe diem
is a Latin aphorism, usually translated "seize the day", taken from book 1 of the Roman poet Horace's work ''Odes'' (23 BC).
Translation
is the second-person singular present active imperative of '' carpō'' "pick or pluck" used by Horace t ...
''
* '' Got a Lot o' Livin' to Do!'', sung by Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the " King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. His ener ...
, in which "times a wasting" appears as a lyric.
* ''Memento mori
''Memento mori'' (Latin for 'remember that you ave todie'
References
External links
* {{Virgil Latin mottos Latin words and phrases Time management Virgil