--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We were never supposed to live until 40…" description: "\"We were never supposed to live until 40. We were built to self-destruct at 30, whether from cancer or mental illness. We're all going way beyond our ex..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b4/douglas-coupland-305_age_we-were-never-supposed-to-live-until-40_1465797.jpg" --- # We were never supposed to live until 40. We were built to… ![“We were never supposed to live until 40. We were built to self-destruct at 30, whether from cancer or mental illness. We're all going way beyond our expiration date.” quote by Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b4/douglas-coupland-305_age_we-were-never-supposed-to-live-until-40_1465797.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b4/douglas-coupland-305_age_we-were-never-supposed-to-live-until-40_1465797.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b4/douglas-coupland-305_age_we-were-never-supposed-to-live-until-40_1465797.jpg) > “We were never supposed to live until 40. We were built to self-destruct at 30, whether from cancer or mental illness. We're all going way beyond our expiration date.” [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humans often die earlier than expected, yet many surpass anticipated lifespans despite health challenges. **In simple terms:** Life expectancy can exceed expectations. Key Takeaway Recognize resilience beyond predicted limits. Themes mortality resilience expectation Mood contemplative optimistic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - healthcare planning - aging research - personal goal setting Key Concepts biology psychology Questions to Reflect On - What contributes to longevity beyond genetics? - How can society support extended healthy lives? A Different Perspective May ignore systemic factors affecting health. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Cancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cancer/) [Illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illness/) [Mental illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-illness/) ## Related quotes > [“What would you do if you knew you would not live until 40?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-heath/what-would-you-do-if-you-knew-you-would-not-live-until-40/) [Chip Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-heath/) > [In my mind, I've always checked out in 2037; that's always been my expiration date. I'll be 75.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/in-my-mind-i-ve-always-checked-out-in-2037-that-s-always-been-my/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“There can be no fooling ourselves into thinking this is something other than what it is—the willful ejection of Molly from our nest. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-wiggs/there-can-be-no-fooling-ourselves-into-thinking-this-is-something/) [Susan Wiggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-wiggs/) > [I don't have an expiration date.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelton-benjamin/i-don-t-have-an-expiration-date/) [Shelton Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelton-benjamin/) > [“I am the kid who sticks her finger in the light socket. I am the person who doesn't check the expiration date on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-garvey/i-am-the-kid-who-sticks-her-finger-in-the-light-socket-i-am-the/) [Amy Garvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-garvey/) > [Don't wait until life has given you an expiration date to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-aniston/don-t-wait-until-life-has-given-you-an-expiration-date-to-live/) [Jennifer Aniston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-aniston/) > [I try to bear pain and not panic. I try to remember that it's got an expiration date, even if I don't know when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-osborne/i-try-to-bear-pain-and-not-panic-i-try-to-remember-that-it-s-got-an/) [Joan Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-osborne/) > [One of the things I noticed is that people really change when they realize their expiration date is coming, and they know what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-baldoni/one-of-the-things-i-noticed-is-that-people-really-change-when-they/) [Justin Baldoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-baldoni/) > [Hey, I drank milk that was a DAY past its expiration date. Now THAT is extreme!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-angle/hey-i-drank-milk-that-was-a-day-past-its-expiration-date-now-that-is/) [Kurt Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-angle/) > [Dreams don't have an expiration date.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-niven/dreams-don-t-have-an-expiration-date/) [David Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-niven/) > [Oh sorry, I didn't know friendship had an expiration date.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pretty-ladii/oh-sorry-i-didn-t-know-friendship-had-an-expiration-date/) [Pretty Ladii](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pretty-ladii/) > [I've got kids and that's important. It's funny, you think that there's an expiration date on them and there just isn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-murray/i-ve-got-kids-and-that-s-important-it-s-funny-you-think-that-there-s/) [Bill Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-murray/) > [I don't know if there is an expiration date on diversity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-rothwell/i-don-t-know-if-there-is-an-expiration-date-on-diversity/) [Natasha Rothwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-rothwell/) > [Dance is a profession with an expiration date for many people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-baumbach/dance-is-a-profession-with-an-expiration-date-for-many-people/) [Noah Baumbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-baumbach/) > [“... Vengeance knows no boundaries and has no expiration date.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-j-mcavoy/vengeance-knows-no-boundaries-and-has-no-expiration-date/) [J.J. McAvoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-j-mcavoy/) ## More by Douglas Coupland > [And in your new lives you'll have to live entirely for that one sensation-that of imminent truth. And you're going to have to holler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/and-in-your-new-lives-you-ll-have-to-live-entirely-for-that-one/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [A man in a bookstore buys a book on loneliness and every woman in the store hits on him. A woman buys a book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/a-man-in-a-bookstore-buys-a-book-on-loneliness-and-every-woman-in-the/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [The future and eternity are two entirely different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/the-future-and-eternity-are-two-entirely-different-things/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [Do you remember how you felt at seventeen? I do and I don't (...) Imagine you came from outer space and someone showed you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/do-you-remember-how-you-felt-at-seventeen-i-do-and-i-don-t-imagine/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [You can't fake competence, creativity, or sexual arousal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/you-can-t-fake-competence-creativity-or-sexual-arousal/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“But Dag, for all of his efforts, might as well have been talking to a cat. Our parents’ generation seems neither able nor interested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/but-dag-for-all-of-his-efforts-might-as-well-have-been-talking-to-a/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [Negative? Moi? I think realistic might be a better word. You mean to tell me we can drive all the way here from L.A.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/negative-moi-i-think-realistic-might-be-a-better-word-you-mean-to/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [It was pivotal in making you but you don't remember it. Or do you? Do we understand the events that make us who we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/it-was-pivotal-in-making-you-but-you-don-t-remember-it-or-do-you-do/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [Your ability to rationalize your own bad deeds makes you believe that the whole world is as amoral as you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/your-ability-to-rationalize-your-own-bad-deeds-makes-you-believe-that/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“I like to go beach-combing, and I like to find interestingly shaped rocks. When I really get into the groove I start finding beautiful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/i-like-to-go-beach-combing-and-i-like-to-find-interestingly-shaped/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“You know, Dag and Claire smile a lot, as do many people I know. But I always wondered if there is something either mechanical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/you-know-dag-and-claire-smile-a-lot-as-do-many-people-i-know-but-i/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [Brain research tells us that only twenty percent of human beings have a sense of irony, which means that eighty percent of the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/brain-research-tells-us-that-only-twenty-percent-of-human-beings-have/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [I keep vampire hours, going to bed at 2 A.M. and waking up at about 10:30-11 A.M.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/i-keep-vampire-hours-going-to-bed-at-2-a-m-and-waking-up-at-about-10/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“Anna-Louise leans over and whispers in my ear. "This is so surreal," she says, "I think I'm turning into a melting clock.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/anna-louise-leans-over-and-whispers-in-my-ear-this-is-so-surreal-she/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [When you grow up these days, you're told you're going to have four or five different careers during your lifetime. But what they don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/when-you-grow-up-these-days-you-re-told-you-re-going-to-have-four-or/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) [Explore all 704 Douglas Coupland quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) ## More Age quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [While we've youth in our hearts, we can never grow old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/while-we-ve-youth-in-our-hearts-we-can-never-grow-old/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. Deep down, many prejudices, many hostilities, many fears persist. But if we take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dacia-maraini/it-s-easier-to-change-a-law-than-an-age-old-mentality-deep-down-many/) [Dacia Maraini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dacia-maraini/) > [When I first started writing, when I was 15, I would go to work with people and they would tell me my lyrics were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-claudio/when-i-first-started-writing-when-i-was-15-i-would-go-to-work-with/) [Sabrina Claudio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-claudio/) > [Real people speak in my books about the main events of the age, such as the war, the Chernobyl disaster, and the downfall of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/svetlana-alexievich/real-people-speak-in-my-books-about-the-main-events-of-the-age-such/) [Svetlana Alexievich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/svetlana-alexievich/) > [As a child I was very involved with sports and I knew at age 9 that I wanted to be an Olympic champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-jones/as-a-child-i-was-very-involved-with-sports-and-i-knew-at-age-9-that-i/) [Marion Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-jones/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [Age is an accumulation of life and loss. Adulthood is a series of lines crossed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-goodman/age-is-an-accumulation-of-life-and-loss-adulthood-is-a-series-of/) [Ellen Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-goodman/) > [I calculated that if I live up to the age of 80, then I end up using 450 toothbrushes in my life. All that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dia-mirza/i-calculated-that-if-i-live-up-to-the-age-of-80-then-i-end-up-using/) [Dia Mirza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dia-mirza/) > [Why is wisdom so fair? Why is beauty so wise? Because all else is temporary, while beauty and wisdom are the only real and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/why-is-wisdom-so-fair-why-is-beauty-so-wise-because-all-else-is/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [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/) > [We have started to make music at age seven. That was a hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-kaulitz/we-have-started-to-make-music-at-age-seven-that-was-a-hard-work/) [Bill Kaulitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-kaulitz/) [Browse all 18,948 Age quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We were never supposed to live until 40. We were built to self-destruct at 30, whether from cancer or mental illness. 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