You can always make more money, but you can’t make more time. It’s a simple truth that flips our entire worldview on its head, forcing us to question why we trade so many hours for dollars. This is the core philosophy of designing a life, not just a living.
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Meaning
It means time is the ultimate non-renewable resource. While wealth can be regained, lost, and rebuilt, every second that passes is gone for good.
Explanation
Look, we’re conditioned from a young age to think linearly: work hard, make money, retire *someday*. But that model is fundamentally broken because it assumes time is infinite. It’s not. This quote is the key that unlocks a different way of thinking. It’s not about being anti-work; it’s about being pro-life. It forces you to ask, “Is what I’m doing right now with my time the most valuable thing I could be doing?” And value isn’t always measured in cash. It’s measured in experiences, in learning, in moments with family, in pure, unadulterated freedom. That’s the real currency.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Wealth (107) |
| Topics | money (27), time (59) |
| Literary Style | minimalist (442) |
| Emotion / Mood | calm (491) |
| Overall Quote Score | 84 (319) |
Origin & Factcheck
This idea comes straight from Timothy Ferriss’s 2007 book, The 4-Hour Workweek, which really kicked off the “lifestyle design” movement in the United States. You’ll sometimes see similar sentiments attributed to other figures, like Arnold Bennett or even Warren Buffett, but the specific, punchy phrasing—”You can always make more money, but you can’t make more time”—is Ferriss’s.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Timothy Ferriss (145) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich (49) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Timothy Ferriss writes and builds systems that help people work less and achieve more. He broke out with The 4-Hour Workweek and followed with books on body optimization, accelerated learning, and distilled tactics from top performers. He hosts The Tim Ferriss Show, one of the most-downloaded podcasts globally, and has invested in notable technology startups. The Timothy Ferriss book list continues to influence entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals seeking leverage. He studied East Asian Studies at Princeton, founded and sold a supplement company, and actively supports psychedelic science research.
| Official Website | Facebook | X| Instagram | YouTube
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | You can always make more money, but you can’t make more time |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2007; ISBN: 9780307353139; Last Edition: Expanded and Updated Edition (2009); Number of Pages: 416. |
| Where is it? | Chapter: Time Management; Approximate page from 2009 edition: 90/416 |