--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the end, just three things matter: How…" description: "\"In the end, just three things matter: How well we have lived How well we have loved How well we have learned to let go\" — Jack Kornfield" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a7/jack-kornfield-936_cheer-up_in-the-end-just-three-things-matter-how_2653028.png" --- # In the end, just three things matter: How well we have… ![“In the end, just three things matter: How well we have lived How well we have loved How well we have learned to let go” quote by Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a7/jack-kornfield-936_cheer-up_in-the-end-just-three-things-matter-how_2653028.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a7/jack-kornfield-936_cheer-up_in-the-end-just-three-things-matter-how_2653028.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a7/jack-kornfield-936_cheer-up_in-the-end-just-three-things-matter-how_2653028.png) > “In the end, just three things matter: How well we have lived How well we have loved How well we have learned to let go” [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life’s essence is measured by how fully we live, love deeply, and learn to release attachments. **In simple terms:** Live, love, and let go well. Key Takeaway Embrace life, love fully, practice letting go. Themes living love letting go attachment mindfulness Mood reflective serene Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - relationships - career - personal growth - grief - spiritual practice Key Concepts Buddhist teachings psychology of attachment Questions to Reflect On - How do you define a well‑lived life? - What does letting go mean to you? A Different Perspective Letting go can feel like loss; love may be conditional. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cheer up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cheer-up/) [Letting go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letting-go/) [Mindfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mindfulness/) ## Related quotes > [In the end, what matters most is how well you lived, how well you loved, and how well you learned to let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-the-end-what-matters-most-is-how-well-you-lived-how-well-you-loved/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It doesn't matter how long you lived, but it does matter how you lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chagai-anastasia/it-doesn-t-matter-how-long-you-lived-but-it-does-matter-how-you-lived/) Chagai Anastasia > [I have sometimes questioned the advice and direction I received from my parents and grandparents, but I never questioned the fact that they loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-e-faust/i-have-sometimes-questioned-the-advice-and-direction-i-received-from/) [James E. Faust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-e-faust/) > [At the end of the road when we look back on our life it will not matter if we lived well, it will only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/at-the-end-of-the-road-when-we-look-back-on-our-life-it-will-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Three things matter in a speech - who says it, how he says it and what he says, and of the three, the latter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-morley/three-things-matter-in-a-speech-who-says-it-how-he-says-it-and-what/) [John Morley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-morley/) > [The things that matter most in our lives are not fantastic or grand. They are the moments when we touch one another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/the-things-that-matter-most-in-our-lives-are-not-fantastic-or-grand/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [I was here. I lived I loved. I was here. I did I've done. Everthing that I wanted and it was more than I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bee/i-was-here-i-lived-i-loved-i-was-here-i-did-i-ve-done-everthing-that/) [Bee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bee/) > [Life is not lived until you have loved someone special. I believe that I have lived my life to the fullest because I fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemis-khan/life-is-not-lived-until-you-have-loved-someone-special-i-believe-that/) [Kemis Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemis-khan/) > [“I lied to hurt you. For letting him be dead while you lived. For being loved by him more than he loved me! He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-hobb/i-lied-to-hurt-you-for-letting-him-be-dead-while-you-lived-for-being/) [Robin Hobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-hobb/) > [“They loved each other because everything around them willed it, the trees, and the clouds, and the sky over their heads, and the earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boris-pasternak/they-loved-each-other-because-everything-around-them-willed-it-the/) [Boris Pasternak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boris-pasternak/) > [“He’s lived the life he’s lived. He’s loved the woman he’s loved. No one ever has or ever will travel quite the same path…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-l-stedman/he-s-lived-the-life-he-s-lived-he-s-loved-the-woman-he-s-loved-no-one/) [M.L. Stedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-l-stedman/) > [From depression to ceiling fans, I've been through it all. I've taken almost every step that life has to offer and invariably I've found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-taylor/from-depression-to-ceiling-fans-i-ve-been-through-it-all-i-ve-taken/) [Corey Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-taylor/) > [I was born the day I met you, lived a while when you loved me, died a little when we broke apart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-was-born-the-day-i-met-you-lived-a-while-when-you-loved-me-died-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I WAS HERE I LIVED I LOVED I WAS HERE I'VE DID I'VE DONE I WAS HERE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce/i-was-here-i-lived-i-loved-i-was-here-i-ve-did-i-ve-done-i-was-here/) [Beyonce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce/) > [I just need you to be able to tell people I was here, I felt, I lived and I loved as much as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-just-need-you-to-be-able-to-tell-people-i-was-here-i-felt-i-lived/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Jack Kornfield > [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [In opening we can see how many times we have mistaken small identities and fearful beliefs for our true nature and how limiting this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/in-opening-we-can-see-how-many-times-we-have-mistaken-small/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Wherever you are is the perfect place to awaken. This moment is the exact place to practice compassion and loving awareness. You have all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/wherever-you-are-is-the-perfect-place-to-awaken-this-moment-is-the/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Acceptance does not mean inaction. We may need to respond, strongly at times...From a peaceful center we can respond instead of react. Unconscious reactions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/acceptance-does-not-mean-inaction-we-may-need-to-respond-strongly-at/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To live in this precious animal body on this earth is as great a part of spiritual life as anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-live-in-this-precious-animal-body-on-this-earth-is-as-great-a-part/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [We do not have to improve ourselves; we just have to let go of what blocks our heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/we-do-not-have-to-improve-ourselves-we-just-have-to-let-go-of-what/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To open deeply, as genuine spiritual life requires, we need tremendous courage and strength, a kind of warrior spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-open-deeply-as-genuine-spiritual-life-requires-we-need-tremendous/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [As we step out of the way new things are born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/as-we-step-out-of-the-way-new-things-are-born/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [For most of us, generosity is a quality that must be developed. We have to respect that it will grow gradually; otherwise our spirituality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/for-most-of-us-generosity-is-a-quality-that-must-be-developed-we-have/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [What is truly a part of our spiritual path is that which brings us alive. If gardening brings us alive, that is part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/what-is-truly-a-part-of-our-spiritual-path-is-that-which-brings-us/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [“Working with these distractions, steadying the canoe, letting the waves pass by, and coming back again and again in a quiet and collected way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/working-with-these-distractions-steadying-the-canoe-letting-the-waves/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To understand ourselves and our life is the point of insight meditation: to understand and to be free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-understand-ourselves-and-our-life-is-the-point-of-insight/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To let go in the deepest recesses of the heart, to release all struggle and wanting, leads us to that knowing which is timeless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-let-go-in-the-deepest-recesses-of-the-heart-to-release-all/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Wisdom says we are nothing. Love says we are everything. Between these two our life flows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/wisdom-says-we-are-nothing-love-says-we-are-everything-between-these/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Breathing meditation can quiet the mind, open the body, and develop a great power of concentration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/breathing-meditation-can-quiet-the-mind-open-the-body-and-develop-a/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) [Explore all 324 Jack Kornfield quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) ## More Cheer up quotes > [Have the self-confidence to say no when it is necessary and the strength to stand alone. Give yourself the approval to love and respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-olson/have-the-self-confidence-to-say-no-when-it-is-necessary-and-the/) Jackie Olson > [Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively; unless you can choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-roosevelt/do-not-stop-thinking-of-life-as-an-adventure-you-have-no-security/) [Eleanor Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-roosevelt/) > [“How could you be sad, when you can sing?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/how-could-you-be-sad-when-you-can-sing/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [You've got to S-M-I-L-E To be H-A-Double-P-Y](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-temple/you-ve-got-to-s-m-i-l-e-to-be-h-a-double-p-y/) [Shirley Temple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-temple/) > [You must find the place inside yourself where nothing is impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/you-must-find-the-place-inside-yourself-where-nothing-is-impossible/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Cheer up! The worst effects of what we're doing won't be felt until after we're all dead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-brilliant/cheer-up-the-worst-effects-of-what-we-re-doing-won-t-be-felt-until/) [Ashleigh Brilliant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-brilliant/) > [Haters, I'm not your enemy I'm your hero. Cheer up, you should be happy I'm here](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/haters-i-m-not-your-enemy-i-m-your-hero-cheer-up-you-should-be-happy/) [Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/) > [I adore all Agatha Christie's books and turn to them whenever I'm ill or need cheering up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-kinsella/i-adore-all-agatha-christie-s-books-and-turn-to-them-whenever-i-m-ill/) [Sophie Kinsella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-kinsella/) > [Failure is not the falling down but the staying down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-pickford/failure-is-not-the-falling-down-but-the-staying-down/) [Mary Pickford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-pickford/) > [Amor Fati – “Love Your Fate”, which is in fact your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/amor-fati-love-your-fate-which-is-in-fact-your-life/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Treat every moment as a gift, that is why it is called the present.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/treat-every-moment-as-a-gift-that-is-why-it-is-called-the-present/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Do you really want to be happy? You can begin by being appreciative of who you are and what you've got.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/do-you-really-want-to-be-happy-you-can-begin-by-being-appreciative-of/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [No matter where life takes me, you'll find me with a smile. Presumed to be happy, always laughing like a child. I never thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mac-miller/no-matter-where-life-takes-me-you-ll-find-me-with-a-smile-presumed-to/) [Mac Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mac-miller/) > [Daisy smiled and said, "Jay Berry, you won't die. You may think you will, but you won't. In a day or two, you'll be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-rawls/daisy-smiled-and-said-jay-berry-you-won-t-die-you-may-think-you-will/) [Wilson Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-rawls/) > [Cheer up,' I said. 'All countries look just like the moving pictures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/cheer-up-i-said-all-countries-look-just-like-the-moving-pictures/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) [Browse all 101 Cheer up quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cheer-up/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In the end, just three things matter: How well we have lived How well we have loved How well we have learned to let go", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jack Kornfield" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/in-the-end-just-three-things-matter-how-well-we-have-lived-how-well/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cheer up" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/in-the-end-just-three-things-matter-how-well-we-have-lived-how-well/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a7/jack-kornfield-936_cheer-up_in-the-end-just-three-things-matter-how_2653028.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a7/jack-kornfield-936_cheer-up_in-the-end-just-three-things-matter-how_2653028.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a7/jack-kornfield-936_cheer-up_in-the-end-just-three-things-matter-how_2653028.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In the end, just three things matter: How well we have lived How well we have loved How well we have learned…” — Jack Kornfield", "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": "Jack Kornfield", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In the end, just three things...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/in-the-end-just-three-things-matter-how-well-we-have-lived-how-well/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/in-the-end-just-three-things-matter-how-well-we-have-lived-how-well/#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 } } ] } ```