What does this quote mean?

“Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure.”

Leisure is easier to protect when working time is used deliberately, linking time management with freedom rather than treating organization as an end in itself.

Source note: Poor Richard’s Almanack; the maxim connects disciplined use of working time with the ability to gain leisure.

“Never leave that till tomorrow, which you can do to-day.”

The maxim turns prompt action into a habit: work that can reasonably be completed now should not be needlessly transferred to an uncertain tomorrow.

Source note: The Way to Wealth; a Poor Richard maxim on delay and useful employment of time.

“No one is his own master.”

Seneca uses mastery here as ownership of one’s time and direction rather than power over other people.

Source note: On the Shortness of Life, Chapter II; follows the example of people living through chains of obligation.

“Life in day-tight compartments.”

Osler compresses his daily-living method into a boundary around the present day: yesterday and tomorrow are acknowledged without being allowed to consume the work and choices available now.

Source note: A Way of Life, Yale address delivered April 20, 1913; Project Gutenberg #73116. The phrase belongs to Osler’s metaphor of watertight ship compartments and is presented as historical conduct-of-life advice, not a treatment for anxiety or other health conditions.

“No one asserts his claim to himself.”

A person can defend property yet fail to protect attention, allowing other demands to occupy the life that only they can decide how to use.

Source note: On the Shortness of Life, Chapter II; part of Seneca’s criticism of people who give all their time away.

“If you would make anything a habit, do it.”

Habit formation is reduced to repeated action: the behavior itself is what trains the pattern.

Source note: Discourses; Epictetus gives the instruction while explaining how repeated acts strengthen habits.