--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I used to think that it was better to…" description: "\"I used to think that it was better to have too much than too little, but now I think if the too much was never supposed to be yours, you should just ta..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/669/cecelia-ahern-535_giving_i-used-to-think-that-it-was-better-to-ha_300775.jpg" --- # I used to think that it was better to have too much than… ![“I used to think that it was better to have too much than too little, but now I think if the too much was never supposed to be yours, you should just take what is yours and give the rest back.” quote by Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/669/cecelia-ahern-535_giving_i-used-to-think-that-it-was-better-to-ha_300775.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/669/cecelia-ahern-535_giving_i-used-to-think-that-it-was-better-to-ha_300775.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/669/cecelia-ahern-535_giving_i-used-to-think-that-it-was-better-to-ha_300775.jpg) > “I used to think that it was better to have too much than too little, but now I think if the too much was never supposed to be yours, you should just take what is yours and give the rest back.” [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Let go of possessions that aren't truly yours and keep what belongs to you. **In simple terms:** Return what isn’t yours, keep what is. Key Takeaway Practice mindful ownership. Themes materialism self-awareness boundaries Mood reflective inspirational Type self-help philosophical When to use this quote - daily decisions - relationships - financial planning - minimalism Key Concepts ethical philosophy personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What items do you cling to unnecessarily? - How does ownership affect your identity? A Different Perspective Giving up may feel like loss. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Who am I supposed to be again? Just be yourself. But who am I?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-bushnell/who-am-i-supposed-to-be-again-just-be-yourself-but-who-am-i/) [Candace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-bushnell/) > [This profession, I don't know why, you're supposed to be so serious and just be so proper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lane-kiffin/this-profession-i-don-t-know-why-you-re-supposed-to-be-so-serious-and/) [Lane Kiffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lane-kiffin/) > [I never learned all the things you're not supposed to do; I just do what makes the most sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-carson/i-never-learned-all-the-things-you-re-not-supposed-to-do-i-just-do/) [David Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-carson/) > [We don't get every kid. We get the ones we are supposed to get. It just kind of plays out that way, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calipari/we-don-t-get-every-kid-we-get-the-ones-we-are-supposed-to-get-it-just/) [John Calipari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calipari/) > [I used to think it's better if you just live and die and no one knows who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/i-used-to-think-it-s-better-if-you-just-live-and-die-and-no-one-knows/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [I think I was supposed to play jazz.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbie-hancock/i-think-i-was-supposed-to-play-jazz/) [Herbie Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbie-hancock/) > [“I think we're supposed to ask too much of each other; otherwise, nothing would ever get done.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/i-think-we-re-supposed-to-ask-too-much-of-each-other-otherwise/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [Spend your free time the way you like, not the way you think you're supposed to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/spend-your-free-time-the-way-you-like-not-the-way-you-think-you-re/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [I guess there are a lot of people out there that think they're supposed to define themselves in isolation, but that's not necessarily the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/feist/i-guess-there-are-a-lot-of-people-out-there-that-think-they-re/) [Feist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/feist/) > [“But sometimes you want things just because you think you're supposed to. And sometimes it's the things you never even knew you wanted that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-thomas/but-sometimes-you-want-things-just-because-you-think-you-re-supposed/) Amy Thomas > [If you think about where I'm from, I'm not supposed to be singing in the first place. I'm not supposed to be alive right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/estelle/if-you-think-about-where-i-m-from-i-m-not-supposed-to-be-singing-in/) [Estelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/estelle/) > [Let go of who you think you're supposed to be and embrace who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/let-go-of-who-you-think-you-re-supposed-to-be-and-embrace-who-you-are/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [I think my job is to try and be as honest as I can with what is in my mind and how I feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-thomas-anderson/i-think-my-job-is-to-try-and-be-as-honest-as-i-can-with-what-is-in-my/) [Paul Thomas Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-thomas-anderson/) > [I think this is how we are supposed to be in the world-present and in awe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/i-think-this-is-how-we-are-supposed-to-be-in-the-world-present-and-in/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [I'm a hopeless father. I don't know why. I don't think I was supposed to be a father.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-o-neal/i-m-a-hopeless-father-i-don-t-know-why-i-don-t-think-i-was-supposed/) [Ryan O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-o-neal/) ## More by Cecelia Ahern > [“Don't worry, nothing speaks louder than a lifetime of regret and self-loathing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/don-t-worry-nothing-speaks-louder-than-a-lifetime-of-regret-and-self/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“Edith says that there are some people in the world that don't you all the time or play games but they still love you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/edith-says-that-there-are-some-people-in-the-world-that-don-t-you-all/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“Ruby: How nice for you all. How is the wonderfully helpful Ursula? Rosie: Wonderfully helpful. Yesterday she told me I had problems discussing my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/ruby-how-nice-for-you-all-how-is-the-wonderfully-helpful-ursula-rosie/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“If you can't put magnolia on a wall then there are always a million other colors you can use, if you can't pay your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/if-you-can-t-put-magnolia-on-a-wall-then-there-are-always-a-million/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [As the rain falls and the sun shines, they grow, grow, grow; minds so open, they go through life aware and accepting, seeing light…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/as-the-rain-falls-and-the-sun-shines-they-grow-grow-grow-minds-so/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [Her best friend was gone and nobody understood that no amount of makeup, fresh air or shopping was going to fill the hole in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/her-best-friend-was-gone-and-nobody-understood-that-no-amount-of/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [Alex: Rosie, I wanted you to be the first person to no that I’ve decided to become a heart surgeon! Rosie: Cool, does it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/alex-rosie-i-wanted-you-to-be-the-first-person-to-no-that-i-ve/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [Holly's theory about the army," Sharon explained. And what is it?" Denise asked, intrigued. Oh, that fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/holly-s-theory-about-the-army-sharon-explained-and-what-is-it-denise/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“Fairy tales are such evil little stories for young children. Every time I’m in a mess I expect a long-haired posh-speaking man to come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/fairy-tales-are-such-evil-little-stories-for-young-children-every/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [I always pushed myself. Whenever I felt I needed to stop, I made myself run faster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/i-always-pushed-myself-whenever-i-felt-i-needed-to-stop-i-made-myself/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“... however good it is, some love isn't meant to be for ever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/however-good-it-is-some-love-isn-t-meant-to-be-for-ever/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [I always take a story that's kind of out there, like an urban myth. I take some possibility that people imagine, that they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/i-always-take-a-story-that-s-kind-of-out-there-like-an-urban-myth-i/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“At moments when life is at its worst there are two things that you can do: 1. Breakdown, lose hope and refuse to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/at-moments-when-life-is-at-its-worst-there-are-two-things-that-you/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“Life is made up of meetings and partings. People come into your life everyday, you say good morning, you say good evening, some stay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/life-is-made-up-of-meetings-and-partings-people-come-into-your-life/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“Home isn't a place, its a feeling”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/home-isn-t-a-place-its-a-feeling/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) [Explore all 462 Cecelia Ahern quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) ## More Giving quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [The only people who think the Internet is a calamity are people whose lives have been hurt by it; the only people who insist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/the-only-people-who-think-the-internet-is-a-calamity-are-people-whose/) [Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/) > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Crony capitalism is essentially a condition in which... public officials are giving favours to people in the private sector in payment of political favours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/crony-capitalism-is-essentially-a-condition-in-which-public-officials/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) > [Some people give you that motivation to work harder simply to get the hell away from wherever they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/some-people-give-you-that-motivation-to-work-harder-simply-to-get-the/) [Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/) > [You've touched people and known it. You've touched people and never may know it. Either way, you have something to give. It is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/you-ve-touched-people-and-known-it-you-ve-touched-people-and-never/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I received a beautiful welcome to the world of music. I want to give something back to the younger generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luciano-pavarotti/i-received-a-beautiful-welcome-to-the-world-of-music-i-want-to-give/) [Luciano Pavarotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luciano-pavarotti/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/) Riffat Hassan > [Grandma, please. It’s okay. Dad’s doing a great job. I give him kudos for at least being calm and rational, and not losing his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/grandma-please-it-s-okay-dad-s-doing-a-great-job-i-give-him-kudos-for/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [Most paper money initially existed as a substitute for gold. That's what gave it value. But right now what gives a currency value is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schiff/most-paper-money-initially-existed-as-a-substitute-for-gold-that-s/) [Peter Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schiff/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [Give me strength to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/black-elk/give-me-strength-to-walk-the-soft-earth-a-relative-to-all-that-is/) [Black Elk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/black-elk/) > [I don't think my relationship with the idea of womanhood is that attached to giving birth... like, I'm fully aware that I'll never give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/i-don-t-think-my-relationship-with-the-idea-of-womanhood-is-that/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) [Browse all 39,303 Giving quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I used to think that it was better to have too much than too little, but now I think if the too much was never supposed to be yours, you should just take what is yours and give the rest back.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Cecelia Ahern" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/i-used-to-think-that-it-was-better-to-have-too-much-than-too-little/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Giving" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/i-used-to-think-that-it-was-better-to-have-too-much-than-too-little/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/669/cecelia-ahern-535_giving_i-used-to-think-that-it-was-better-to-ha_300775.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/669/cecelia-ahern-535_giving_i-used-to-think-that-it-was-better-to-ha_300775.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/669/cecelia-ahern-535_giving_i-used-to-think-that-it-was-better-to-ha_300775.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I used to think that it was better to have too much than too little, but now I think if the too much was…” — Cecelia Ahern", "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": "Cecelia Ahern", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I used to think that it...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/i-used-to-think-that-it-was-better-to-have-too-much-than-too-little/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/i-used-to-think-that-it-was-better-to-have-too-much-than-too-little/#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 } } ] } ```