Tempus fugit

Tempus fugit is a Latin phrase, usually translated into English as "time flies". However, the literal translation of 'fugit' is 'flees' not 'flies'. The expression comes from line 284 of book 3 of Virgil's Georgics, 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".

Usage

Tempus fugit is typically employed as an admonition against sloth and procrastination rather than an argument for licentiousness ; the English form is often merely descriptive: "time flies like the wind", "time flies when you're having fun".
The phrase is a common motto, particularly on sundials and clocks. It also has been used on gravestones.
Some writers have attempted rebuttals: "Time goes, you say? Ah, no! alas, time stays, we go." by Henry Austin Dobson."Hêd Amser! / Meddi Na! / 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! Man flies; Time still doth stay." Another English version is: "Time Flies, Say Not So: Time Remains,'Tis Man Must Go."
Bud Powell's composition "Tempus Fugue-it" is a pun on the phrase.

In the ''Georgics''

The phrase's full appearance in Virgil's Georgics is:

Original	Translation	Translation
Omne ''adeo genus in terris hominum'que ferarum'que	Thus every Creature , and of every Kind , The secret Joys of sweet Coition find : Not only Man's Imperial Race ; . . .	Nay, every race on earth of men, and beasts,
et genus aequoreum, pecudes pictae'que volucres,	. . . but they That wing the liquid Air ; or swim the Sea , Or haunt the Desart , . . .	And ocean-folk, and flocks, and painted birds,
in furias ignem'que ruunt: amor omnibus idem....	. . . rush into the flame : For Love is Lord of all ; and is in all the same .	Rush to the raging fire: love sways them all.
Sed fugit interea, fugit inreparabile tempus,	But time is lost , which never will renew ,	Fast flies meanwhile the irreparable hour,
singula dum capti circumvectamur amore''.	While we too far the pleasing Path pursue ; Surveying Nature , with too nice a view .	As point to point our charmed round we trace.