--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Now if a man thus favoured died as he has…" description: "\"“Now if a man thus favoured died as he has lived, he will be just the one you are looking for: the only sort of person who deserves to be called happy...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f07/herodotus-2844_death_now-if-a-man-thus-favoured-died-as-he-ha_2109605.jpg" --- # Now if a man thus favoured died as he has lived, he will… ![“Now if a man thus favoured died as he has lived, he will be just the one you are looking for: the only sort of person who deserves to be called happy. But mark this: until he is dead, keep the word "happy" in reserve. Till then, he is not happy, but only lucky...” quote by Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f07/herodotus-2844_death_now-if-a-man-thus-favoured-died-as-he-ha_2109605.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f07/herodotus-2844_death_now-if-a-man-thus-favoured-died-as-he-ha_2109605.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f07/herodotus-2844_death_now-if-a-man-thus-favoured-died-as-he-ha_2109605.jpg) > ““Now if a man thus favoured died as he has lived, he will be just the one you are looking for: the only sort of person who deserves to be called happy. But mark this: until he is dead, keep the word "happy" in reserve. Till then, he is not happy, but only lucky...”” [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True happiness is reserved for those who have completed life; until then, one is merely lucky, not happy. **In simple terms:** Happiness comes after death, not before. Key Takeaway Seek meaning beyond fleeting luck. Themes philosophy life happiness mortality Mood contemplative philosophical Type ethical existential When to use this quote - ethical living - legacy building - mindfulness Key Concepts virtue destiny contentment Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to be happy now? - Can luck be transformed into lasting joy? A Different Perspective The notion may ignore present‑day fulfillment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Called Happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-happy-1296954/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Favoured Died](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/favoured-died-4252606/) [Happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/herodotus/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Lucky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lucky/) [Man Favoured](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-favoured-333963/) [Person Deserves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person-deserves-418872/) ## Related quotes > [The power of the Will in a man, is favoured by the Heavens. The man who sets his Heart and Word onto something, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-power-of-the-will-in-a-man-is-favoured-by-the-heavens-the-man-who/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Is not life in itself a thing of goodness, irrespective of whether the course it takes for us can be called a 'happy' one?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-mann/is-not-life-in-itself-a-thing-of-goodness-irrespective-of-whether-the/) [Thomas Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-mann/) > [Lady Lytton rules her husband, but that I suppose is always the case where marriages are what is called 'happy'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/lady-lytton-rules-her-husband-but-that-i-suppose-is-always-the-case/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [“think, for example, has a higher suicide rate: countries whose citizens declare themselves to be very happy, such as Switzerland, Denmark, Iceland, the Netherlands,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/think-for-example-has-a-higher-suicide-rate-countries-whose-citizens/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [I just know that whenever my name gets called, I'm happy, and I'm ready to get in there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tavon-austin/i-just-know-that-whenever-my-name-gets-called-i-m-happy-and-i-m-ready/) [Tavon Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tavon-austin/) > [A marriage is likely to be called happy if neither party ever expected to get much happiness out of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/a-marriage-is-likely-to-be-called-happy-if-neither-party-ever/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Let no man be called happy before his death. Till then, he is not happy, only lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/let-no-man-be-called-happy-before-his-death-till-then-he-is-not-happy/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [Anybody I ask who spends a week in Happy Valley understands why it's called Happy Valley.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-nassib/anybody-i-ask-who-spends-a-week-in-happy-valley-understands-why-it-s/) [Carl Nassib](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-nassib/) > [To be what is called happy, one should have (1) something to live on, (2) something to live for, (3) something to die for.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyprian-norwid/to-be-what-is-called-happy-one-should-have-1-something-to-live-on-2/) [Cyprian Norwid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyprian-norwid/) > [“marriage is likely to be what is called happy if niether party ever expected to get much happiness out of it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/marriage-is-likely-to-be-what-is-called-happy-if-niether-party-ever/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“As to the ancient historians, from Herodotus to Tacitus , we credit them as far as they relate things probable and credible, and no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/as-to-the-ancient-historians-from-herodotus-to-tacitus-we-credit-them/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [“Here Herodotus can be of some help again. “As to the customs of the Persians, I know them to be these. It is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/here-herodotus-can-be-of-some-help-again-as-to-the-customs-of-the/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [Herodotus is not more indisputably the father of history than is Sir Boyle Roche the father of Bulls. No doubt there were makers of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyle-roche/herodotus-is-not-more-indisputably-the-father-of-history-than-is-sir/) [Boyle Roche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyle-roche/) > [“Herodotus, the ‘Father of History’, records the moment – and you can hear the emotion in his voice as he does so, a mixture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bettany-hughes/herodotus-the-father-of-history-records-the-moment-and-you-can-hear/) [Bettany Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bettany-hughes/) > [“Yeast. The word comes to us through Old English, from the Indo-European root 'yes'- meaning boil, foam, bubble. It does all those things, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-parrish/yeast-the-word-comes-to-us-through-old-english-from-the-indo-european/) [Christa Parrish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-parrish/) ## More by Herodotus > [Haste in every business brings failures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/haste-in-every-business-brings-failures/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [A real friend ... exults in his friend’s happiness, rejoices in all his joys, and is ready to afford him the best advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/a-real-friend-exults-in-his-friend-s-happiness-rejoices-in-all-his/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; While others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/some-men-give-up-their-designs-when-they-have-almost-reached-the-goal/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [I know that human happiness never remains long in the same place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/i-know-that-human-happiness-never-remains-long-in-the-same-place/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Happiness is not fame or riches or heroic virtues, but a state that will inspire posterity to think in reflecting upon our life, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/happiness-is-not-fame-or-riches-or-heroic-virtues-but-a-state-that/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [But I like not these great success of yours; for I know how jealous are the gods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/but-i-like-not-these-great-success-of-yours-for-i-know-how-jealous/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Knowledge may give weight, but accomplishments give lustre, and many more people see than weigh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/knowledge-may-give-weight-but-accomplishments-give-lustre-and-many/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Very few things happen at the right time, and the rest do not happen at all. The conscientious historian will correct these defects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/very-few-things-happen-at-the-right-time-and-the-rest-do-not-happen/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [ They \[the Persians\] are accustomed to deliberate on matters of the highest moment when warm with wine; but whatever they in this situation may… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/they-the-persians-are-accustomed-to-deliberate-on-matters-of-the/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Circumstances rule men; men do not rule circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/circumstances-rule-men-men-do-not-rule-circumstances/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [To think well and to consent to obey someone giving good advice are the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/to-think-well-and-to-consent-to-obey-someone-giving-good-advice-are/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Unless a variety of opinions are laid before us, we have no opportunity of selection, but are bound of necessity to adopt the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/unless-a-variety-of-opinions-are-laid-before-us-we-have-no/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Of all possessions a friend is the most precious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/of-all-possessions-a-friend-is-the-most-precious/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [Those who are guided by reason are generally successful in their plans; those who are rash and precipitate seldom enjoy the favour of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/those-who-are-guided-by-reason-are-generally-successful-in-their/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [The gods loves to punish whatever is greater than the rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/the-gods-loves-to-punish-whatever-is-greater-than-the-rest/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) [Explore all 145 Herodotus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) ## More Death quotes > [“He wondered how it was fair that your dying should depend so much on when you were born.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/he-wondered-how-it-was-fair-that-your-dying-should-depend-so-much-on/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [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 do not want to live at the cost of the life even of a snake. I should let him bite me to death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-do-not-want-to-live-at-the-cost-of-the-life-even-of-a-snake-i/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“It was beautiful. He thought he had never seen anything so beautiful in all his life; that, having seen it, he could die content,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/it-was-beautiful-he-thought-he-had-never-seen-anything-so-beautiful/) [Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/) > [Retirement? You're talking about death, right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-altman/retirement-you-re-talking-about-death-right/) [Robert Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-altman/) > [With multiplayer, permanent death, and an ever-changing world to explore and conquer, 'A Valley Without Wind' might be the place you're looking for if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-manuel/with-multiplayer-permanent-death-and-an-ever-changing-world-to/) [Rob Manuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-manuel/) > [“What did you see?” she asked gently. His brow furrowed, as if he could not understand the question. Then his eyes turned to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-anthony-torino/what-did-you-see-she-asked-gently-his-brow-furrowed-as-if-he-could/) [J. Anthony Torino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-anthony-torino/) > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“I practice Dying--every night-- But have not learned to, still-- Though Talented--by Mortal bones-- For such a common Skill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-powers/i-practice-dying-every-night-but-have-not-learned-to-still-though/) [Alan W. Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-w-powers/) > [“You must understand the pain and grief of losing someone is nothing more than a function of survival.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-cooper/you-must-understand-the-pain-and-grief-of-losing-someone-is-nothing/) [Steven Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-cooper/) > [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [“Death is a reality that calls the rest of life and all of our assorted strivings into sharp relief.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/death-is-a-reality-that-calls-the-rest-of-life-and-all-of-our/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [I love life. I love life to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuelle-riva/i-love-life-i-love-life-to-death/) [Emmanuelle Riva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuelle-riva/) > [I think when you’re dying you start looking for important things in the corners. You can’t let anything that seems even semi-important pass, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-crutcher/i-think-when-you-re-dying-you-start-looking-for-important-things-in/) [Chris Crutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-crutcher/) [Browse all 39,127 Death quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Now if a man thus favoured died as he has lived, he will be just the one you are looking for: the only sort of person who deserves to be called happy. But mark this: until he is dead, keep the word \"happy\" in reserve. Till then, he is not happy, but only lucky...”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Herodotus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/now-if-a-man-thus-favoured-died-as-he-has-lived-he-will-be-just-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Death" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/now-if-a-man-thus-favoured-died-as-he-has-lived-he-will-be-just-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f07/herodotus-2844_death_now-if-a-man-thus-favoured-died-as-he-ha_2109605.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f07/herodotus-2844_death_now-if-a-man-thus-favoured-died-as-he-ha_2109605.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f07/herodotus-2844_death_now-if-a-man-thus-favoured-died-as-he-ha_2109605.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Now if a man thus favoured died as he has lived, he will be just the one you are looking for: the only sort…” — Herodotus", "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": "Herodotus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Now if a man thus favoured...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/now-if-a-man-thus-favoured-died-as-he-has-lived-he-will-be-just-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/now-if-a-man-thus-favoured-died-as-he-has-lived-he-will-be-just-the/#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 } } ] } ```