--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We can do all we wish while we live…" description: "\"We can do all we wish while we live; afterward, we are less than the meanest.\" — Louis XIV" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d08/louis-xiv-15834_less_we-can-do-all-we-wish-while-we-live-afte_2226737.jpg" --- # We can do all we wish while we live; afterward, we are… ![“We can do all we wish while we live; afterward, we are less than the meanest.” quote by Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d08/louis-xiv-15834_less_we-can-do-all-we-wish-while-we-live-afte_2226737.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d08/louis-xiv-15834_less_we-can-do-all-we-wish-while-we-live-afte_2226737.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d08/louis-xiv-15834_less_we-can-do-all-we-wish-while-we-live-afte_2226737.jpg) > “We can do all we wish while we live; afterward, we are less than the meanest.” [Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He acknowledges that desires are fleeting; after death, one’s legacy is modest. **In simple terms:** Life’s wishes are temporary; legacy is humble. Key Takeaway Live modestly and focus on lasting values. Themes mortality humility legacy desire Mood contemplative serious Type philosophical historical When to use this quote - personal decisions - public policy - historical analysis Key Concepts philosophical reflection ethical living Questions to Reflect On - What truly matters beyond life? - How to balance ambition with humility? A Different Perspective Historical context may differ. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afterward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afterward/) [Afterward Meanest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afterward-meanest-4993133/) [Less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/less/) [Live](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live/) [Live Afterward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live-afterward-4993134/) [Meanest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meanest/) [Than](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/than/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [There are things you can't walk away from. Not if you want to live with yourself afterward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/there-are-things-you-can-t-walk-away-from-not-if-you-want-to-live/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [Don't think about what you’ll tell people afterward. The time is here and now. Make the most of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/don-t-think-about-what-you-ll-tell-people-afterward-the-time-is-here/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [. . . we should be men first, and subjects afterward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/we-should-be-men-first-and-subjects-afterward/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“A thorn is a pain, but the flower is a beauty if it vanishes it will leave hundreds of seeds afterward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamaran-ihsan-salih/a-thorn-is-a-pain-but-the-flower-is-a-beauty-if-it-vanishes-it-will/) [Kamaran Ihsan Salih](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamaran-ihsan-salih/) > [There's a part of all of us whose impulse is to say, "Let's keep everything the same until I die and then you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mckibben/there-s-a-part-of-all-of-us-whose-impulse-is-to-say-let-s-keep/) [Bill McKibben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mckibben/) > [Here's a thing about the death of your mother, or anyone else you love: You can't anticipate how you'll feel afterward. People will tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-schmich/here-s-a-thing-about-the-death-of-your-mother-or-anyone-else-you-love/) [Mary Schmich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-schmich/) > [History does not usually make real sense until long afterward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-catton/history-does-not-usually-make-real-sense-until-long-afterward/) [Bruce Catton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-catton/) > [It's okay to screw up. It's what we do afterward that defines us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-mallery/it-s-okay-to-screw-up-it-s-what-we-do-afterward-that-defines-us/) [Susan Mallery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-mallery/) > [Once a decision was made, I didn't worry about it afterward...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/once-a-decision-was-made-i-didn-t-worry-about-it-afterward/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [As a matter of fact I had a terribly traumatic childhood. But afterward I sort of reraised myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gruber/as-a-matter-of-fact-i-had-a-terribly-traumatic-childhood-but/) [Michael Gruber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gruber/) > [Apologies don't mean anything if you're going to act the same way afterward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/apologies-don-t-mean-anything-if-you-re-going-to-act-the-same-way/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“And in everything that came afterward, I could never stop thinking that maybe she loved mysteries so much that she became one”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/and-in-everything-that-came-afterward-i-could-never-stop-thinking/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“Stories are invented as you go along...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/stories-are-invented-as-you-go-along/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [When that shutter clicks, anything else that can be done afterward is not worth consideration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-steichen/when-that-shutter-clicks-anything-else-that-can-be-done-afterward-is/) [Edward Steichen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-steichen/) > [The real question in life isn't whether you'll be loved, it's whether you can take the hurt afterward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-real-question-in-life-isn-t-whether-you-ll-be-loved-it-s-whether/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Louis XIV > [Every time I bestow a vacant office I make a hundred discontented persons and one ingrate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/every-time-i-bestow-a-vacant-office-i-make-a-hundred-discontented/) [Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) > [It is legal because I wish it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/it-is-legal-because-i-wish-it/) [Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) > [There is little that can withstand a man who can conquer himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/there-is-little-that-can-withstand-a-man-who-can-conquer-himself/) [Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) > [Has God forgotten all I have done for Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/has-god-forgotten-all-i-have-done-for-him/) [Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) > [I could sooner reconcile all Europe than two women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/i-could-sooner-reconcile-all-europe-than-two-women/) [Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) > [My court was divided between peace and war according to their various interests, but I considered only their reasons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/my-court-was-divided-between-peace-and-war-according-to-their-various/) [Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) > [I am dying, but the state remains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/i-am-dying-but-the-state-remains/) [Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) > [Impatience for victory guarantees defeat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/impatience-for-victory-guarantees-defeat/) [Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) > [The King of Spain displayed his esteem for me in a manner that I confess flattered me pleasantly when, after the death of Don…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/the-king-of-spain-displayed-his-esteem-for-me-in-a-manner-that-i/) [Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) > [The Pyrenees are no more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/the-pyrenees-are-no-more/) [Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) > [That's what troubles me: I should like to suffer more for the expiation of my sins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/that-s-what-troubles-me-i-should-like-to-suffer-more-for-the/) [Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) > [Laws are the sovereigns of sovereigns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/laws-are-the-sovereigns-of-sovereigns/) [Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) > [I have made my will; I have been tormented to do it. I have bought repose; I know the powerlessness and inutility of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/i-have-made-my-will-i-have-been-tormented-to-do-it-i-have-bought/) [Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) > [I see no point in reading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/i-see-no-point-in-reading/) [Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) > [My child, you are going to be a great king; do not imitate me in the taste I have had for building, or in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/my-child-you-are-going-to-be-a-great-king-do-not-imitate-me-in-the/) [Louis XIV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) [Explore all 41 Louis XIV quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/) ## More Afterward quotes > [Don't think about what you’ll tell people afterward. The time is here and now. Make the most of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/don-t-think-about-what-you-ll-tell-people-afterward-the-time-is-here/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [When that shutter clicks, anything else that can be done afterward is not worth consideration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-steichen/when-that-shutter-clicks-anything-else-that-can-be-done-afterward-is/) [Edward Steichen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-steichen/) > [“Stories are invented as you go along...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/stories-are-invented-as-you-go-along/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [“And in everything that came afterward, I could never stop thinking that maybe she loved mysteries so much that she became one”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/and-in-everything-that-came-afterward-i-could-never-stop-thinking/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [Apologies don't mean anything if you're going to act the same way afterward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/apologies-don-t-mean-anything-if-you-re-going-to-act-the-same-way/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [As a matter of fact I had a terribly traumatic childhood. But afterward I sort of reraised myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gruber/as-a-matter-of-fact-i-had-a-terribly-traumatic-childhood-but/) [Michael Gruber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gruber/) > [Once a decision was made, I didn't worry about it afterward...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/once-a-decision-was-made-i-didn-t-worry-about-it-afterward/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [It's okay to screw up. It's what we do afterward that defines us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-mallery/it-s-okay-to-screw-up-it-s-what-we-do-afterward-that-defines-us/) [Susan Mallery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-mallery/) > [History does not usually make real sense until long afterward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-catton/history-does-not-usually-make-real-sense-until-long-afterward/) [Bruce Catton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-catton/) > [Here's a thing about the death of your mother, or anyone else you love: You can't anticipate how you'll feel afterward. People will tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-schmich/here-s-a-thing-about-the-death-of-your-mother-or-anyone-else-you-love/) [Mary Schmich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-schmich/) > [There's a part of all of us whose impulse is to say, "Let's keep everything the same until I die and then you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mckibben/there-s-a-part-of-all-of-us-whose-impulse-is-to-say-let-s-keep/) [Bill McKibben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mckibben/) > [“A thorn is a pain, but the flower is a beauty if it vanishes it will leave hundreds of seeds afterward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamaran-ihsan-salih/a-thorn-is-a-pain-but-the-flower-is-a-beauty-if-it-vanishes-it-will/) [Kamaran Ihsan Salih](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamaran-ihsan-salih/) > [. . . we should be men first, and subjects afterward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/we-should-be-men-first-and-subjects-afterward/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The real question in life isn't whether you'll be loved, it's whether you can take the hurt afterward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-real-question-in-life-isn-t-whether-you-ll-be-loved-it-s-whether/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [First he wrought, and afterward he taught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-chaucer/first-he-wrought-and-afterward-he-taught/) [Geoffrey Chaucer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-chaucer/) [Browse all 21 Afterward quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afterward/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We can do all we wish while we live; afterward, we are less than the meanest.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Louis XIV" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/we-can-do-all-we-wish-while-we-live-afterward-we-are-less-than-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Afterward" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/we-can-do-all-we-wish-while-we-live-afterward-we-are-less-than-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d08/louis-xiv-15834_less_we-can-do-all-we-wish-while-we-live-afte_2226737.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d08/louis-xiv-15834_less_we-can-do-all-we-wish-while-we-live-afte_2226737.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d08/louis-xiv-15834_less_we-can-do-all-we-wish-while-we-live-afte_2226737.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We can do all we wish while we live; afterward, we are less than the meanest.” — Louis XIV", "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": "Louis XIV", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-xiv/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We can do all we wish...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/we-can-do-all-we-wish-while-we-live-afterward-we-are-less-than-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-xiv/we-can-do-all-we-wish-while-we-live-afterward-we-are-less-than-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 } } ] } ```