Back to: Punjab Board Class 9th English Guide and Notes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Dr. D. V. Jindal is an author of several books on English language and literature. He has been teaching English at various levels for more than 40 years. He has been working with academic bodies formed to decide the curriculum and courses of studies in English for different levels of students at both the state and the national level. In this chapter, he tells us about the importance of time.
The Importance of Time
Some say that money is the most important thing in life. But the power of time is greater. Money once lost, can be regained; time once lost is lost for ever. Time and tide wait for none. If we do not make the best use of time, we are destined to be doomed.
Shakespeare, the giant of English literature, wrote in Julius Caesar that there is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, lead on to fortune; but omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.
One must act in time before it is too late, because certain moments can make or break a person’s life. So, we should be alive and alert to the importance of every single second in our lives. Those who waste time repent when there is no remedy.
Every second in life is important. Seconds add up to minutes. hours, days and months. We should not waste time because life is short and uncertain.
A poet said that art is long and time is fleeting. We have a lot to do but very little time. Nobody knows when we might die, every beat of our heart is taking us a step nearer to death. Therefore, one should make the best use of the time available.
The Power of the Present
One must learn to be punctual in all activities. An opportunity missed is an opportunity lost for ever. By being late, we may miss great opportunities. It is no use crying over what has already happened or blaming the stars when we are ourselves responsible for our failure.
Yaksha, a god, asked Yudhishthira what the best time for doing a thing was. The wise son of Kunti said, “Now!” The work in hand is the most important work and the present is the most important time to do it. ‘Now or Never’ must be our guiding principle in life. We should never put off till tomorrow what we can do today.
In this age of globalisation, super-computers and space travel, life is moving so fast that a slip of even a fraction of a second can bring disaster. Every single second has its own importance. So, the concept of budgeting one’s time is becoming popular.
Every moment of life is precious. We can hope for a good tomorrow only if we know the value of today. We are responsible for creating a happy and prosperous future for the coming generations. This is possible only if we know the value of time in our lives.
Conclusion
Time is irreversible and extremely important. We cannot gain back lost time, so we must make the best use of the time we have. Only in this way will we be able to make use of all our opportunities and lead a good life.
