I realised how rich I had become and I asked myself, 'Do I really want to be the richest person in the cemetery?'
David RubensteinRead
What do most people say on their deathbed? They don't say, 'I wish I'd made more money.' What they say is, 'I wish I'd spent more time with my family and done more for society or my community.'
Interpretation
What this quote means
On their deathbed, people often regret not spending more time with loved ones or contributing to their community rather than focusing on wealth.
This quote by David Rubenstein emphasizes the common regrets individuals have at the end of their lives. It highlights that when reflecting on their lives, people tend to wish for more meaningful connections with family and a greater impact on their community rather than the accumulation of wealth. It suggests that prioritizing relationships and contributions to society is ultimately more fulfilling than material success.
Themes
FamilyRegretLifeCommunityValues
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about work-life balance, one could use this quote to stress the importance of family time.
More from David Rubenstein
All quotes →Similar quotes
There's a schizoid streak within the family anyway so I dare say that I'm affected by that. The majority of the people in my family have been in some kind of mental institution, as for my brother he doesn't want to leave. He likes it very much.
David BowieRead
Some parents let their kids sleep at other people's houses, where they drink alcohol, watch TV for hours and God knows what else. But if you say you have to get all A's and practice the violin for two hours, then they consider that abusive. That upsets me.
Amy ChuaRead
My son and daughter lost their father quite young, so we keep him present with us. It's just a daily practice.
Patti SmithRead
That always seemed to be the most critical test that a child was confronted with - loss of parents, loss of direction, loss of love. Can you live without a mother and a father?
Maurice SendakRead
My kids and I make pasta three days a week now. It's not even so much about the eating of it; they just like the process. Benno is the stuffer, and Leo is the catcher. They've got their jobs down.
Mario BataliRead
When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us. We feel part of something greater than ourselves. Our inborn yearnings for family connections are fulfilled when we are linked to our ancestors.
Russell M. NelsonRead