the candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long

proverb

The more intensely someone or something works or acts, the more quickly that person will burn out or that thing will end.

Similar
the flame that burns twice as bright burns half as longthe light that burns twice as bright burns half as long
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Meanings

proverb
  1. The more intensely someone or something works or acts, the more quickly that person will burn out or that thing will end.

    Synonyms: the flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long, the light that burns twice as bright burns half as long

Synonyms & antonyms

proverbThe more intensely someone or something works or acts, the more quickly that person will burn out or that thing will end.

Similar
the flame that burns twice as bright burns half as longthe light that burns twice as bright burns half as long
Cite this entry
APA

the candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/the%20candle%20that%20burns%20twice%20as%20bright%20burns%20half%20as%20long

MLA

“the candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/the%20candle%20that%20burns%20twice%20as%20bright%20burns%20half%20as%20long. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “the candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/the%20candle%20that%20burns%20twice%20as%20bright%20burns%20half%20as%20long.

Source: the candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.