Early death seeks time, deferred death offers excuses
Nahj al-Balāgha|Volume 1|Book 3|Chapter 285
٢٨٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): كُلُّ مُعَاجَلٍ يَسْأَلُ الْإِنْظَارَ وَكُلُّ مُؤَجَّلٍ يَتَعَلَّلُ بالتَّسْويفِ.
285. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He whom death overtakes early seeks time while he whose death is deferred puts forth excuses for postponement (of doing good actions).