I'm amazed when I see people asking others for their time, and how willingly people give it away. Both sides think about what the time will be used for, but neither thinks about the time itself. It's as if asking for time means asking for nothing, and giving it away means giving nothing. We treat carelessly what is actually our most precious possession. People don't notice this because time isn't a physical thing you can see or touch. So we think it's worthless — or worth almost nothing. People treasure gifts and money. They work hard for pay, benefits, or favors. But no one values time. We give it away freely, as if it costs us nothing.
I am filled with wonder when I see some men asking others for their time, and those who are asked for it most willing to give it: both parties consider the object for which the time is given, but neither of them thinks of the time itself, as though in asking for this one asked for nothing, and in giving it one gave nothing: we play with what is the most precious of all things: yet it escapes men's notice, because it is an incorporeal thing, and because it does not come before our eyes; and therefore it is held very cheap, nay, hardly any value whatever is put upon it. Men set the greatest store upon presents or pensions, and hire out their work, their services, or their care in order to gain them: no one values time: they give it much more freely, as though it cost nothing.