the day is short and the work is long. (15th century)

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Meaning · English

English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.

Sources & notes

Listed on English Wikiquote “English proverbs” (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-31).

Common questions

What does “the day is short and the work is long. (15th century)” mean?

English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.

Is “the day is short and the work is long. (15th century)” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.