--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't aspire to make a living, aspire to…" description: "\"Don't aspire to make a living, aspire to make a difference.\" — Denzel Washington" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5f/denzel-washington-1345_aspire_don-t-aspire-to-make-a-living-aspire-to_2824416.jpg" --- # Don't aspire to make a living, aspire to make a difference. ![“Don't aspire to make a living, aspire to make a difference.” quote by Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5f/denzel-washington-1345_aspire_don-t-aspire-to-make-a-living-aspire-to_2824416.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5f/denzel-washington-1345_aspire_don-t-aspire-to-make-a-living-aspire-to_2824416.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5f/denzel-washington-1345_aspire_don-t-aspire-to-make-a-living-aspire-to_2824416.jpg) > “Don't aspire to make a living, aspire to make a difference.” [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focus on making a difference rather than just earning a living. **In simple terms:** Aim to impact, not just earn. Key Takeaway Prioritize purpose over profit. Themes purpose impact legacy Mood inspirational determined Type motivational ethical When to use this quote - career planning - volunteering - entrepreneurship Key Concepts leadership ethics Questions to Reflect On - What difference do you want to make? - How can you align work with purpose? A Different Perspective Financial stability may be challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aspire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aspire/) [Aspire Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aspire-make-3613444/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Living Aspire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/living-aspire-3613443/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Make Difference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-difference/) [Make Living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-living/) [Making a difference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-a-difference/) ## Related quotes > [Life is for living and we should all aspire to grow old disgracefully.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-rippon/life-is-for-living-and-we-should-all-aspire-to-grow-old-disgracefully/) [Angela Rippon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-rippon/) > [If you care enough, you make a difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loretta-swit/if-you-care-enough-you-make-a-difference/) [Loretta Swit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loretta-swit/) > [It's important that women support women. It gives me a great sense of well-being to know that I can make a difference in people's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-johnson/it-s-important-that-women-support-women-it-gives-me-a-great-sense-of/) [Sheila Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-johnson/) > [“Focus on your work. Do what you're great at. Don't compare yourself to others and or waste time criticizing the lives and work of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/focus-on-your-work-do-what-you-re-great-at-don-t-compare-yourself-to/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [We may not have the ability to change all of the world's wrongs, but we can make a difference where we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dillon-burroughs/we-may-not-have-the-ability-to-change-all-of-the-world-s-wrongs-but/) [Dillon Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dillon-burroughs/) > [Getting started as a volunteer anywhere can be a challenge to a lot of people. The biggest hurdle is that people think they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-joyner-kersee/getting-started-as-a-volunteer-anywhere-can-be-a-challenge-to-a-lot/) [Jackie Joyner-Kersee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-joyner-kersee/) > [To know that once you decide to look at life outside of the narrow limits of just your world and start to understand that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sarandon/to-know-that-once-you-decide-to-look-at-life-outside-of-the-narrow/) [Susan Sarandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sarandon/) > [Do you want to come climb the transformationa l leadership mountain with me? Your first step begins with DESIRE. Do you want to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/do-you-want-to-come-climb-the-transformationa-l-leadership-mountain/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Make A Difference Day is a great way to introduce kids to the rewards of volunteering. It's fun, it's focused and it's empowering to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-snow/make-a-difference-day-is-a-great-way-to-introduce-kids-to-the-rewards/) [Kate Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-snow/) > [What can you do to make a difference? And why should you do it? (...) the scale of one's social investments doesn't matter. What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/what-can-you-do-to-make-a-difference-and-why-should-you-do-it-the/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [The only way to make a difference is to acquire power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-way-to-make-a-difference-is-to-acquire-power/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There can be no difference anywhere that does not make a difference somewhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/there-can-be-no-difference-anywhere-that-does-not-make-a-difference/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [One person can make a difference. In fact, its not only possible for one person to make a difference, its essential that one person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-riley/one-person-can-make-a-difference-in-fact-its-not-only-possible-for/) [Bob Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-riley/) > [Go out into the world, find work that you love, learn from your mistakes, and work hard to make a difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-r-greenberg/go-out-into-the-world-find-work-that-you-love-learn-from-your/) [Maurice R. Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-r-greenberg/) > [There has never been, and never will be, anyone who sees, thinks, or responds exactly the way you do. Whether you’re revolutionizing physics or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-beck/there-has-never-been-and-never-will-be-anyone-who-sees-thinks-or/) [Martha Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-beck/) ## More by Denzel Washington > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [My father was a minister for 50 years with Pentecostal Church of God in Christ. We prayed about everything, every day, then he always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/my-father-was-a-minister-for-50-years-with-pentecostal-church-of-god/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Family is life; acting is making a living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/family-is-life-acting-is-making-a-living/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Talent comes from God. If you have been given some, then value it, cultivate it, work and develop it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/talent-comes-from-god-if-you-have-been-given-some-then-value-it/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [ I'll be working with Ridley's \[Scott\] brother, Tony, again, someone who needless to say we've had a great amount of success together. I trust… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-ll-be-working-with-ridley-s-scott-brother-tony-again-someone-who/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-found-that-nothing-in-life-is-worthwhile-unless-you-take-risks/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I and haven't been unemployed for 20 years. I'm an exception to the rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-and-haven-t-been-unemployed-for-20-years-i-m-an-exception-to-the/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I'm very proud to be black, but black is not all I am. That's my cultural historical background, my genetic make-up, but it's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-m-very-proud-to-be-black-but-black-is-not-all-i-am-that-s-my/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [We'll all retire from life at some point. The great thing about acting is you don't necessarily have to retire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/we-ll-all-retire-from-life-at-some-point-the-great-thing-about-acting/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [It's strictly business. If I loan you $25 million, I want my money back. I don't want to hear about the social impact. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/it-s-strictly-business-if-i-loan-you-25-million-i-want-my-money-back/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [If you have an enemy, then learn and know your enemy, don't just be mad at him or her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/if-you-have-an-enemy-then-learn-and-know-your-enemy-don-t-just-be-mad/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [“He taught us that everyone has a good story and the more of others you understand, the better your grasp of human nature, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/he-taught-us-that-everyone-has-a-good-story-and-the-more-of-others/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Religion to me is when man gets ahold of spirituality: "My god is right, yours is wrong." Religion to me is the human condition.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/religion-to-me-is-when-man-gets-ahold-of-spirituality-my-god-is-right/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I don't concern myself with award. I'd been to the party enough times to know it really didn't matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-don-t-concern-myself-with-award-i-d-been-to-the-party-enough-times/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [I've just directed a film called The Great Debaters, which is inspired by a true story about a young college debating team in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-ve-just-directed-a-film-called-the-great-debaters-which-is-inspired/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) [Explore all 253 Denzel Washington quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) ## More Aspire quotes > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [I love it when television is shot in a cinematic way and I think to aspire to that is no bad thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-rhys/i-love-it-when-television-is-shot-in-a-cinematic-way-and-i-think-to/) [Matthew Rhys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-rhys/) > [At the end of the day, everyone knows what it is to be loved and to aspire to love someone, to want to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-oyelowo/at-the-end-of-the-day-everyone-knows-what-it-is-to-be-loved-and-to/) [David Oyelowo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-oyelowo/) > [I didn't aspire to be a good sport; 'champion' was good enough for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-perry/i-didn-t-aspire-to-be-a-good-sport-champion-was-good-enough-for-me/) [Fred Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-perry/) > [We should all aspire in life to do a multitude of things well - to be a great father, to be a good husband,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-modine/we-should-all-aspire-in-life-to-do-a-multitude-of-things-well-to-be-a/) [Matthew Modine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-modine/) > [We try, we fail, we posture, we aspire, we pontificate - and then we age, shrink, die, and vanish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/we-try-we-fail-we-posture-we-aspire-we-pontificate-and-then-we-age/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [I aspire my country eventually has a league where all players play 50 games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-chhetri/i-aspire-my-country-eventually-has-a-league-where-all-players-play-50/) [Sunil Chhetri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-chhetri/) > [I'm exceptional in everything that I do and I aspire to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omarosa-manigault-newman/i-m-exceptional-in-everything-that-i-do-and-i-aspire-to-do/) [Omarosa Manigault Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omarosa-manigault-newman/) > [One of the reasons you study at great institutions or aspire to work in great corporations is that you hope to acquire the values…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harsha-bhogle/one-of-the-reasons-you-study-at-great-institutions-or-aspire-to-work/) [Harsha Bhogle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harsha-bhogle/) > [So if you aspire to be a good conversationali st, be an attentive listener. To be interesting, be interested. Ask questions that other persons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/so-if-you-aspire-to-be-a-good-conversationali-st-be-an-attentive/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [... the majority of colored men do not yet think it worth while that women aspire to higher education… The three R's, a littlemusic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-julia-cooper/the-majority-of-colored-men-do-not-yet-think-it-worth-while-that/) [Anna Julia Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-julia-cooper/) > [For me, there has always been a disconnect with the sort of elitist structure of the high-art world - and my distaste for that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shepard-fairey/for-me-there-has-always-been-a-disconnect-with-the-sort-of-elitist/) [Shepard Fairey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shepard-fairey/) > [There is not a right too long denied to which we do not aspire in order to achieve; there is not a wrong too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-gompers/there-is-not-a-right-too-long-denied-to-which-we-do-not-aspire-in/) [Samuel Gompers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-gompers/) [Browse all 650 Aspire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aspire/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Don't aspire to make a living, aspire to make a difference.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Denzel Washington" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/don-t-aspire-to-make-a-living-aspire-to-make-a-difference/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Aspire" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/don-t-aspire-to-make-a-living-aspire-to-make-a-difference/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5f/denzel-washington-1345_aspire_don-t-aspire-to-make-a-living-aspire-to_2824416.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5f/denzel-washington-1345_aspire_don-t-aspire-to-make-a-living-aspire-to_2824416.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5f/denzel-washington-1345_aspire_don-t-aspire-to-make-a-living-aspire-to_2824416.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Don't aspire to make a living, aspire to make a difference.” — Denzel Washington", "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": "Denzel Washington", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Don't aspire to make a living,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/don-t-aspire-to-make-a-living-aspire-to-make-a-difference/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/don-t-aspire-to-make-a-living-aspire-to-make-a-difference/#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 } } ] } ```