---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Let us all so live as we shall wish we…"
description: "\"Let us all so live as we shall wish we had lived when we come to die; for that only is well, that ends well.\" — Benjamin Whichcote"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb0/benjamin-whichcote-7885_dies_let-us-all-so-live-as-we-shall-wish-we-h_275287.png"
---

#  Let us all so live as we shall wish we had lived when we…

![“Let us all so live as we shall wish we had lived when we come to die; for that only is well, that ends well.” quote by Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb0/benjamin-whichcote-7885_dies_let-us-all-so-live-as-we-shall-wish-we-h_275287.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb0/benjamin-whichcote-7885_dies_let-us-all-so-live-as-we-shall-wish-we-h_275287.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb0/benjamin-whichcote-7885_dies_let-us-all-so-live-as-we-shall-wish-we-h_275287.png)

> “Let us all so live as we shall wish we had lived when we come to die; for that only is well, that ends well.”

[Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Live now in a way that you will be content with at life’s end, ensuring a good ending.

**In simple terms:** Live fully, aim for a good ending.

Key Takeaway

Act now for a fulfilling life.

Themes

mortality intentional living legacy

Mood

thoughtful inspirational

Type

philosophical advice

When to use this quote

- daily decisions
- long‑term planning
- relationship building
- career choices

Key Concepts

ethics philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

- What actions today reflect your desired legacy?
- How do you define a “well” ending?

A Different Perspective

Focusing only on endings may cause anxiety about the future.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/)

## Related quotes

> [Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/resolved-that-i-will-live-so-as-i-shall-wish-i-had-done-when-i-come/)

[Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/)

> [Resolved to live with all my might while I do live, and as I shall wish I had done ten thousand years hence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/resolved-to-live-with-all-my-might-while-i-do-live-and-as-i-shall/)

[Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/)

> [Live in such a way as, when you come to die, you will wish to have lived. \[Ger., Lebe, wie Du, wenn du stirbst,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-furchtegott-gellert/live-in-such-a-way-as-when-you-come-to-die-you-will-wish-to-have/)

[Christian Furchtegott Gellert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-furchtegott-gellert/)

> [“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/travel-is-fatal-to-prejudice-bigotry-and-narrow-mindedness-and-many-3/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/let-us-so-live-that-when-we-come-to-die-even-the-undertaker-will-be/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/let-us-live-so-that-when-we-come-to-die-even-the-undertaker-will-be-2/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [A search engine can determine who shall live and who shall die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-goodman/a-search-engine-can-determine-who-shall-live-and-who-shall-die/)

[Marc Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-goodman/)

> [My wish for today is to hold you in my arms someday. This distance between us both won't let me but someday I know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine/my-wish-for-today-is-to-hold-you-in-my-arms-someday-this-distance/)

[Josephine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine/)

> [If we are ever in doubt about what to do, it is a good rule to ask ourselves what we shall wish on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/if-we-are-ever-in-doubt-about-what-to-do-it-is-a-good-rule-to-ask/)

[John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/)

> [“In particular, we must observe   this general rule, that we cordially desire and labor for the welfare   of the whole human race. Thus it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/in-particular-we-must-observe-this-general-rule-that-we-cordially/)

[John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/)

> [I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, That I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/i-frequently-hear-persons-in-old-age-say-how-they-would-live-if-they/)

[Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/)

> [Oh, I wish I lived in a caravan!’ said Jimmy longingly. ‘How lovely it must be to live in a house that has wheels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enid-blyton/oh-i-wish-i-lived-in-a-caravan-said-jimmy-longingly-how-lovely-it/)

[Enid Blyton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enid-blyton/)

> [“Don't you wish we all lived in black light… for one thing, it would mean an end to toothpaste as we know it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-stern/don-t-you-wish-we-all-lived-in-black-light-for-one-thing-it-would/)

[Josh Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-stern/)

> [I wish I lived in the '60s because I'm a big fan of the Beatles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/celine-buckens/i-wish-i-lived-in-the-60s-because-i-m-a-big-fan-of-the-beatles/)

[Celine Buckens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/celine-buckens/)

> [I wish I had a boyfriend. I wish he lived in the wardrobe on a coat hanger. Whenever I wanted, I could get him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-downham/i-wish-i-had-a-boyfriend-i-wish-he-lived-in-the-wardrobe-on-a-coat-2/)

[Jenny Downham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-downham/)

## More by Benjamin Whichcote

> [Whoever despiseth shame, despiseth sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/whoever-despiseth-shame-despiseth-sin/)

[Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/)

> [Truth is not only a man's ornament but his instrument; it is the great man's glory, and the poor man's stock: a man's truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/truth-is-not-only-a-man-s-ornament-but-his-instrument-it-is-the-great/)

[Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/)

> [He that repents is angry with himself; I need not be angry with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/he-that-repents-is-angry-with-himself-i-need-not-be-angry-with-him/)

[Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/)

> [None can do a man so much harm as he doeth himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/none-can-do-a-man-so-much-harm-as-he-doeth-himself/)

[Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/)

> [Let not a man's self be to him all in all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/let-not-a-man-s-self-be-to-him-all-in-all/)

[Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/)

> [Take away the self-conceited, and there will be elbowroom in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/take-away-the-self-conceited-and-there-will-be-elbowroom-in-the-world/)

[Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/)

> [Christ is God clothed with human nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/christ-is-god-clothed-with-human-nature/)

[Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/)

> [The sense of repentance is better assurance of pardon than the testimony of an angel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/the-sense-of-repentance-is-better-assurance-of-pardon-than-the/)

[Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/)

> [We are made for one another, and each is to be a supply to his neighbor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/we-are-made-for-one-another-and-each-is-to-be-a-supply-to-his-neighbor/)

[Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/)

> [A benefactor is a representative of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/a-benefactor-is-a-representative-of-god/)

[Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/)

> [He that would have the perfection of pleasure must be moderate in the use of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/he-that-would-have-the-perfection-of-pleasure-must-be-moderate-in-the/)

[Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/)

> [He that useth his reason doth acknowledge God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/he-that-useth-his-reason-doth-acknowledge-god/)

[Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/)

> [None of us was born knowing or wise; but men become wise by consideration, observation, experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/none-of-us-was-born-knowing-or-wise-but-men-become-wise-by/)

[Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/)

> [None are so empty as those who are full of themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/none-are-so-empty-as-those-who-are-full-of-themselves/)

[Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/)

> [The human soul is to God, is as the flower to the sun; it opens at its approach, and shuts when it withdraws.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/the-human-soul-is-to-god-is-as-the-flower-to-the-sun-it-opens-at-its/)

[Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/)

[Explore all 86 Benjamin Whichcote quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/)

## More Dies quotes

> [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/)

[Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/)

> [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/)

[Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/)

> [Don't even think for a moment that you are not going to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzongsar-jamyang-khyentse-rinpoche/don-t-even-think-for-a-moment-that-you-are-not-going-to-die/)

[Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzongsar-jamyang-khyentse-rinpoche/)

> [Set NOT your hearts on the flowers of this world. They shall fade and die. Prize the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/set-not-your-hearts-on-the-flowers-of-this-world-they-shall-fade-and/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Violence is not necessary to destroy a civilization. Each civilization dies from indifference toward the unique values which created it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-gomez-davila/violence-is-not-necessary-to-destroy-a-civilization-each-civilization/)

[Nicolas Gomez Davila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-gomez-davila/)

> [I wonder: when a Jehovah's Witness dies and goes to Heaven, does God hide behind the door and pretend He's not home?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-celio/i-wonder-when-a-jehovah-s-witness-dies-and-goes-to-heaven-does-god/)

[Brian Celio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-celio/)

> [Certainly, it is. Love is love, and loss is loss. We all love, and we all die, and everyone suffers the pain of grieving.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynsay-sands/certainly-it-is-love-is-love-and-loss-is-loss-we-all-love-and-we-all/)

[Lynsay Sands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynsay-sands/)

> [“When he stops giving you butterflies, Love dies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-blanchard/when-he-stops-giving-you-butterflies-love-dies/)

Michelle Blanchard

> [That old man dies prematurely whose memory records no benefits conferred. They only have lived long who have lived virtuously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/that-old-man-dies-prematurely-whose-memory-records-no-benefits/)

[Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/)

> [I don't want to just die a normal death, I wanna be killed twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eminem/i-don-t-want-to-just-die-a-normal-death-i-wanna-be-killed-twice/)

[Eminem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eminem/)

> [My father thrives on fear. You know that prayer If I should die before I wake? I had sheets that said that!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-titus/my-father-thrives-on-fear-you-know-that-prayer-if-i-should-die-before/)

[Christopher Titus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-titus/)

> [For the glory born of Goodness Never dies, And its flag is not half-masted In the skies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bret-harte/for-the-glory-born-of-goodness-never-dies-and-its-flag-is-not-half/)

[Bret Harte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bret-harte/)

> [This mind is a prison. It cannot find any freedom anywhere. It must die before freedom comes to you. But we have taken the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/this-mind-is-a-prison-it-cannot-find-any-freedom-anywhere-it-must-die/)

[Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/)

> [An artist's creative energy is ephemeral as a flower. It blooms and soon dies. No artist is great forever. Personally, I think I reached…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-ki-duk/an-artist-s-creative-energy-is-ephemeral-as-a-flower-it-blooms-and/)

[Kim Ki-duk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-ki-duk/)

> [If you’re going to die on screen, you’ve got to be strong and in good health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-garbo/if-you-re-going-to-die-on-screen-you-ve-got-to-be-strong-and-in-good/)

[Greta Garbo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-garbo/)

Browse all 7,484 Dies quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Let us all so live as we shall wish we had lived when we come to die; for that only is well, that ends well.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Benjamin Whichcote"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/let-us-all-so-live-as-we-shall-wish-we-had-lived-when-we-come-to-die/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Dies"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/let-us-all-so-live-as-we-shall-wish-we-had-lived-when-we-come-to-die/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb0/benjamin-whichcote-7885_dies_let-us-all-so-live-as-we-shall-wish-we-h_275287.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb0/benjamin-whichcote-7885_dies_let-us-all-so-live-as-we-shall-wish-we-h_275287.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb0/benjamin-whichcote-7885_dies_let-us-all-so-live-as-we-shall-wish-we-h_275287.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Let us all so live as we shall wish we had lived when we come to die; for that only is well, that ends well.” — Benjamin Whichcote",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Benjamin Whichcote",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Let us all so live as...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/let-us-all-so-live-as-we-shall-wish-we-had-lived-when-we-come-to-die/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/let-us-all-so-live-as-we-shall-wish-we-had-lived-when-we-come-to-die/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
