--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Success is not what you leave to but what…" description: "\"Success is not what you leave to but what you leave behind\" — John C. Maxwell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a5/john-c-maxwell-113_behinds_success-is-not-what-you-leave-to-but-wha_1733311.jpg" --- # Success is not what you leave to but what you leave behind ![“Success is not what you leave to but what you leave behind” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a5/john-c-maxwell-113_behinds_success-is-not-what-you-leave-to-but-wha_1733311.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a5/john-c-maxwell-113_behinds_success-is-not-what-you-leave-to-but-wha_1733311.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a5/john-c-maxwell-113_behinds_success-is-not-what-you-leave-to-but-wha_1733311.jpg) > “Success is not what you leave to but what you leave behind” [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True impact is measured by the lasting influence you have, not by personal achievements. **In simple terms:** Success is about legacy, not accolades. Key Takeaway Focus on creating lasting value. Themes legacy influence purpose Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career mentoring - community projects - family teachings - philanthropy Key Concepts leadership impact longterm thinking Questions to Reflect On - What lasting contribution do you want to be remembered for? - How can you start building that today? A Different Perspective Legacy can be hard to quantify and may be overlooked. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Stewardship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stewardship/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [No more busy work. No more hiding from success. Leave time, leave space, to grow. Now. Now! Not tomorrow!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/og-mandino/no-more-busy-work-no-more-hiding-from-success-leave-time-leave-space/) [Og Mandino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/og-mandino/) > [Never again clutter your days or nights with so many menial and unimportant things that you have no time to accept a real challenge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/og-mandino/never-again-clutter-your-days-or-nights-with-so-many-menial-and-3/) [Og Mandino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/og-mandino/) > [“When you leave, you can leave a lot behind. Simple as that. And when you return the bad stuff has all disappeared in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-harrison/when-you-leave-you-can-leave-a-lot-behind-simple-as-that-and-when-you/) [Jim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-harrison/) > [You never leave someone behind, you take a part of them with you and leave a part of yourself behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-never-leave-someone-behind-you-take-a-part-of-them-with-you-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You have to be taught to leave us alone. Leave us alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stirling-silliphant/you-have-to-be-taught-to-leave-us-alone-leave-us-alone/) Stirling Silliphant > [Love would never leave us alone, so why should we leave love alone?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/love-would-never-leave-us-alone-so-why-should-we-leave-love-alone/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [You may leave a show, but you never leave that family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-elise-goldsberry/you-may-leave-a-show-but-you-never-leave-that-family/) [Renee Elise Goldsberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-elise-goldsberry/) > [“If you have nothing to leave behind you, you can at least leave your dreams; someone else may use them!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/if-you-have-nothing-to-leave-behind-you-you-can-at-least-leave-your/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [If I leave you alone, and you leave me alone, we are both better off. And I will leave you alone if you leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-g-kline/if-i-leave-you-alone-and-you-leave-me-alone-we-are-both-better-off/) [William G. Kline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-g-kline/) > [Leave me, leave me; I cant fucking stand you. Wish I had the courage to say everything I planned to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/leave-me-leave-me-i-cant-fucking-stand-you-wish-i-had-the-courage-to/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [Don't leave me." "Leave you? I'm going to marry you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-day/don-t-leave-me-leave-you-i-m-going-to-marry-you/) [Sylvia Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-day/) > [It is so hard to leave-until you leave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/it-is-so-hard-to-leave-until-you-leave/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [Please leave. Please leave. I'm not even listening. I'm not even listening LALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALA Go away I will be gone by the new day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-pratt/please-leave-please-leave-i-m-not-even-listening-i-m-not-even/) [Spencer Pratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-pratt/) > [Leave SOMETHING for SOMEONE,but NEVER LEAVE SOMEONE for SOMETHING,because in life SOMETHING will leave you but SOMEONE will always be with YOU!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/leave-something-for-someone-but-never-leave-someone-for-something/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [It is so hard to leave—until you leave. And then it is the easiest goddamned thing in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/it-is-so-hard-to-leave-until-you-leave-and-then-it-is-the-easiest/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) ## More by John C. Maxwell > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. If you want to make your father happy, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-your-mother-happy-talk-to-her-if-you-want-to-make/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Experiences isn't the best teacher - evaluated experience is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/experiences-isn-t-the-best-teacher-evaluated-experience-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-big-man-is-one-who-makes-us-feel-bigger-when-we-are-with-him/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Passion gives you an advantage over others, because one person with passion is greater than ninety-nine who have only an interest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/passion-gives-you-an-advantage-over-others-because-one-person-with/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## More Behinds quotes > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Time is painted with a lock before, and bald behind, signifying thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for, when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/time-is-painted-with-a-lock-before-and-bald-behind-signifying-thereby/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [God hides Himself behind causes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-rollin/god-hides-himself-behind-causes/) [Charles Rollin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-rollin/) > [Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/home-is-behind-the-world-ahead-and-there-are-many-paths-to-tread/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Behind every word flows energy. If you use your words to gossip or babble about what you are going to do before you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-choquette/behind-every-word-flows-energy-if-you-use-your-words-to-gossip-or/) [Sonia Choquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-choquette/) > [With the realization of God comes all power. If the little wave knew that behind it is the great ocean, it could say, "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/with-the-realization-of-god-comes-all-power-if-the-little-wave-knew/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [And the seasons they go 'round and 'round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/and-the-seasons-they-go-round-and-round-and-the-painted-ponies-go-up/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [It is worthwhile for anyone to have behind him a few generations of honest, hard-working ancestry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-worthwhile-for-anyone-to-have-behind-him-a-few-generations-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm really thankful to God, man. Like now, I'm really making a real comeback with my group. With or without a record, with or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ike-turner/i-m-really-thankful-to-god-man-like-now-i-m-really-making-a-real/) [Ike Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ike-turner/) > [Empires fall, ids explode, great symphonies are written, and behind all of it is a single instinct that demands satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/empires-fall-ids-explode-great-symphonies-are-written-and-behind-all/) [Sherwin B. Nuland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-b-nuland/) > [ Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs \[Less Developed Countries\]?... I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-world-bank-be-encouraging-more/) [Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/) > [After a few mouthfuls of moon-flavored air, even the stubbornly drowsy can find themselves wide-eyed.. All the normal noises of life were gone, leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-d-wilson/after-a-few-mouthfuls-of-moon-flavored-air-even-the-stubbornly-drowsy/) [N.D. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-d-wilson/) Browse all 6,789 Behinds quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Success is not what you leave to but what you leave behind", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John C. 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