Unfaithfulness in the keeping of an appointment is an act of clear dishonesty. You may as well borrow a person’s money as his time.
—Horace Mann (1796–1859) American Educator, Politician, Educationalist
People count up the faults of those who keep them waiting.
—French Proverb
We are not saints, but we have kept our appointment. How many people can boast as much?
—Samuel Beckett (1906–1989) Irish Novelist, Playwright
The while we keep a man waiting, he reflects on our shortcomings.
—French Proverb
Method is the very hinge of business; and there is no method without punctuality.
—Richard Cecil
Every child should be taught to pay all his debts, and to fulfil all his contracts, exactly in manner, completely in value, punctually at the time. Everything he has borrowed, he should be obliged to return uninjured at the time specified, and everything belonging to others which he has lost, he should be required to replace.
—John Sullivan Dwight
Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
The trouble with being punctual is that nobody’s there to appreciate it.
—Franklin P. Jones
Appointments once made, become debts. If I have made an appointment with you, I owe you punctuality; I have no right to throw away your time, if I do my own.
—Richard Cecil
Punctuality is the soul of business.
—Thomas Chandler Haliburton (1796–1865) Canadian Author, Humorist, Jurist
Better never than late.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
It is of no use running; to set out betimes is the main point.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
I have noticed that the people who are late are often so much jollier than the people who have to wait for them.
—E. V. Lucas (1868–1938) English Author, Historian
Punctuality is the virtue of the bored.
—Evelyn Waugh (1903–66) British Novelist, Essayist, Biographer
I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
The most indispensable qualification of a cook is punctuality. The same must be said of guests.
—Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755–1826) French Lawyer, Politician
Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Laugh and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone;
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,
But has trouble enough of its own.
—Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850–1919) American Poet, Journalist
Few things tend more to alienate friendship than a want of punctuality in our engagements. I have known the breach of a promise to dine or sup to break up more than one intimacy.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Punctuality is the politeness of princes.
—Common Proverb
He was always late on principle, his principle being that punctuality is the thief of time.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Even if a farmer intends to loaf, he gets up in time to get an early start.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness; no laziness; no procrastination; never put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
I’ve been on a calendar, but never on time.
—Marilyn Monroe (1926–62) American Actor, Model, Singer
Punctuality is one of the cardinal business virtues: always insist on it in your subordinates.
—Don Marquis (1878–1937) American Humorist, Journalist, Author
Punctuality is the stern virtue of men of business, and the graceful courtesy of princes.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
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