He that riseth late must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night.
Commentary
Commentary
Disorder early in the day often echoes through the rest of it. A rushed beginning has a long reach.
Franklin is describing more than sleep habits. He is observing how avoidable delay turns the whole day reactive, hurried, and harder to govern well.
The line survives because its picture is still recognizable. Lost ground often has to be repurchased in strain.
Commentary
Commentary