Time spent with a cat is never wasted.

The line expresses a characteristically Colettean valuation of sensual, intimate daily experience over utilitarian measures of productivity. To say time with a cat is “never wasted” elevates companionship, observation, and quiet pleasure as intrinsically meaningful—an implicit rebuttal to moralizing ideas that only work or “serious” pursuits justify time. Cats, often associated with independence and attentiveness to the present moment, become a model for savoring small rituals and domestic life. The quote’s enduring popularity reflects how it dignifies affection and leisure as forms of nourishment rather than indulgence.