Tempus fugit

The expression comes from line 284 of book 3 of Virgil's Georgics,[1] where it appears as fugit irreparabile tempus: "it escapes, irretrievable time".

The phrase is used in both its Latin and English forms as a proverb that "time's a-wasting".

Tempus fugit is typically employed as an admonition against sloth and procrastination (cf.

/ Erys Amser / Dyn Â" on sundial at Univ of Bangor, North Wales.

says the sundial was commissioned by Sir William Henry Preece, and offers an English equivalent: "Time flies, thou sayest – Nay!