Valuable tips on time management from Greek and Roman writers.

1. jmdtraining.com.au

2. Hesiod 750 BC
Everyone praises a different day but few know their nature . . .
As soon as the time for ploughing is here, make haste . . . in
wet and in dry, to plough in the season for ploughing, and rise
early in the morning so that your fields may be full.
Fifty days after the solstice, when the hot weather ends, is the right time for me to
go sailing. Then you will not wreck your ship . . . At that time the winds are steady,
and the sea is harmless. Then trust in the winds without care, and haul your swift
ship down to the sea and put all the freight on board. But make all haste you can to
return home again and do not wait till the time of the new wine and autumn rain
and oncoming storms.

3. Antiphon 450 BC
When I was appointed, I discharged my office as efficiently and as
scrupulously as I was able. I began by fitting out a training-room in the
most suitable part of my house. Next, I recruited the best people I could.
Xenophon 380 BC
The duty of teaching the people what things are best, and of
dispensing praise and honour to those who accomplish the
same most efficiently, is a form of activity that is greeted with
thanks.
The man who can focus intently on agriculture, has speedy and effective means of
making money.

4. Xenophon 380 BC
I was amazed to see where a group of people do identical operations, half of them
are in poverty and the other half are wealthy . . . I found it all happened very
naturally. Those who worked haphazardly were punished with losses. Those better
organised and diligent were rewarded by greater ease and profit from their labour.
Some of my men may be planting trees, breaking fallow, sowing
or getting in the crops. I inspect their labours with an eye to
every detail and, wherever I can, improve the system.
Within the field of private industry, the person in authority, provided he has
unflinching energy, intense and eager for the work, belongs to those who efficiently
use their time and reap the greatest rewards.

5. Demades 350 BC There is more speed in management than in force.
Cato the Elder 120 BC
Calculate the labourers and the time
consumed. If the amount of work does not
seem satisfactory . . . call the overseer
back to your estimate of the work done
and the hands employed.
Cicero 60 BC
I must carefully manage the time allowed
me for making a speech, since I am
determined to fully state the case.

6. Pliny the Elder 50 AD
Vitruvius 30 BC
All success depends upon accurate calculations in
managing large grounds, and blaming rainfall cannot
with any justice be laid upon Nature. The earlier the
vine is pruned, in suitable weather, the greater is the
quantity of wood, while the later the pruning, the
more abundant is the fruit.
Economy denotes the proper management of materials
and of site, as well as a thrifty balancing of cost and
common sense in the construction of works.