proverb · Words worth keeping
Friends are thieves of time.
Friends are thieves of time.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The saying calls friends thieves of time. It presents social attention as taking time that could be spent elsewhere.
Example
Someone discusses availability honestly instead of treating every invitation as a theft of their time.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The thief image may be humorous or critical, but it does not prove deception or waste. A useful interpretation considers a chosen balance between companionship and other commitments. Time with friends can be valuable rather than something stolen.
When to use it
Use it to examine demands on attention with the value of friendship retained.
Keep in mind
Social time is not automatically wasted or taken without choice.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown