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About this quote

What does it mean?
If time is valuable, it seems moral to save it, especially one's own, and this frugality is justified as caring for others.
In plain terms
Saving time, especially yours, is seen as moral and caring for others.
What can you take from it?
Be mindful that claiming to save time for others can hide selfish motives.

Where it applies

  • project planning
  • personal productivity
  • team coordination

Putting it to work

  • evaluate if time‑saving truly benefits others

Questions to consider

  • Am I saving time for myself or others?
  • What is the cost of my efficiency?

Another view

Time‑saving can sometimes neglect quality or relational depth.

More from Theodor Adorno

  1. 'If across the Atlantic the ideology was pride, here it is delivering the goods.'

    Permalink to quote #40
  2. 'In his state of complete powerlessness the individual perceives the time he has left to live as a brief reprieve.'

    Permalink to quote #42
  3. 'Horror is beyond the reach of psychology.'

    Permalink to quote #39

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