---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It isn't about being or not being dead…"
description: "\"It isn't about being or not being dead, it's about what you leave behind\" — Martin McDonagh"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/918/martin-mcdonagh-10860_behinds_it-isn-t-about-being-or-not-being-dead-i_2845294.jpg"
---

#  It isn't about being or not being dead, it's about what…

![“It isn't about being or not being dead, it's about what you leave behind” quote by Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/918/martin-mcdonagh-10860_behinds_it-isn-t-about-being-or-not-being-dead-i_2845294.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/918/martin-mcdonagh-10860_behinds_it-isn-t-about-being-or-not-being-dead-i_2845294.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/918/martin-mcdonagh-10860_behinds_it-isn-t-about-being-or-not-being-dead-i_2845294.jpg)

> “It isn't about being or not being dead, it's about what you leave behind”

[Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The focus is on legacy, not merely existence; what we leave matters more than being alive.

**In simple terms:** Legacy matters more than being alive.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize lasting impact.

Themes

legacy meaning mortality

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- career
- family
- artistic work
- community service

Key Concepts

existentialism ethics

Questions to Reflect On

- What will you be remembered for?
- How can you balance living now with building a legacy?

A Different Perspective

Neglecting present wellbeing for future legacy can be harmful.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

## Related quotes

> [Half dead isn't dead, but half dead is still alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kells/half-dead-isn-t-dead-but-half-dead-is-still-alive/)

Kells

> [MS-DOS isn't dead, it just smells that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-spencer/ms-dos-isn-t-dead-it-just-smells-that-way/)

[Henry Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-spencer/)

> [“I don't know why he isn't dead, maybe he's lucky. Certainly his physical self is dead. Before the streets, drugs, IV use, and hustling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-goldberg/i-don-t-know-why-he-isn-t-dead-maybe-he-s-lucky-certainly-his/)

[Jim Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-goldberg/)

> [Swear to me swear to me that if it isn't dead you'll all come back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/swear-to-me-swear-to-me-that-if-it-isn-t-dead-you-ll-all-come-back/)

[Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/)

> [I guess everybody who isn't dead yet is a survivor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/i-guess-everybody-who-isn-t-dead-yet-is-a-survivor/)

[Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/)

> [“Why isn’t he dead?’ he said eventually. ‘That is a good question. After all, meaning well hasn’t been a completely adequate shield in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-spufford/why-isn-t-he-dead-he-said-eventually-that-is-a-good-question-after/)

[Francis Spufford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-spufford/)

> [They say Elvis is dead. I say, no, you're looking at him. Elvis isn't dead; he just changed color.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-rodman/they-say-elvis-is-dead-i-say-no-you-re-looking-at-him-elvis-isn-t/)

[Dennis Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-rodman/)

> [Christianity isn't dead. It still has the capacity to scare people. It still gives people the creeps, which means there is still some power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-carlson/christianity-isn-t-dead-it-still-has-the-capacity-to-scare-people-it/)

[Tucker Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-carlson/)

> [God isn't dead, he just couldn't find a parking place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-allen/god-isn-t-dead-he-just-couldn-t-find-a-parking-place/)

William Allen

> [Jesus already dealt with your sin. And even though sin isn't dead, we are dead to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeigh-ilano/jesus-already-dealt-with-your-sin-and-even-though-sin-isn-t-dead-we/)

[Jeigh Ilano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeigh-ilano/)

> [Here's a newsflash from the only High Preistess you have left at this dang school: Zoey isn't dead. And believe me, I know dead.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/here-s-a-newsflash-from-the-only-high-preistess-you-have-left-at-this/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [God isn't dead--he's just missing in action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-ochs/god-isn-t-dead-he-s-just-missing-in-action/)

[Phil Ochs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-ochs/)

> [Hip-hop isn't dead by any means, but it's not something I define my black identity with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-simien/hip-hop-isn-t-dead-by-any-means-but-it-s-not-something-i-define-my/)

[Justin Simien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-simien/)

> [“Can you feel your pulse? That means Valek isn’t here, because if he was, you’d be dead. No pulse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/can-you-feel-your-pulse-that-means-valek-isn-t-here-because-if-he-was/)

[Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/)

> [Privacy isn't dead, although it is fashionable for digerati to say so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-curry/privacy-isn-t-dead-although-it-is-fashionable-for-digerati-to-say-so/)

Andrew Curry

## More by Martin McDonagh

> [I pick and choose what I want to do at any given time, and what not to do, importantly. My agents, I won't hear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/i-pick-and-choose-what-i-want-to-do-at-any-given-time-and-what-not-to/)

[Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/)

> [Theatre was an art form that I didn't really respect, and because I wanted to shake it up and do different things on stage,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/theatre-was-an-art-form-that-i-didn-t-really-respect-and-because-i/)

[Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/)

> [I realize that I am never going to grow up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/i-realize-that-i-am-never-going-to-grow-up/)

[Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/)

> [I try to naturally keep things to a manageable storytelling length, which is about two hours, so you try to cut out anything extraneous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/i-try-to-naturally-keep-things-to-a-manageable-storytelling-length/)

[Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/)

> [All my work shares a kind of balance between black comedy and sad and despairing melancholy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/all-my-work-shares-a-kind-of-balance-between-black-comedy-and-sad-and/)

[Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/)

> [I suppose I walk that line between comedy and cruelty because I think one illuminates the other. We're all cruel, aren't we? We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/i-suppose-i-walk-that-line-between-comedy-and-cruelty-because-i-think/)

[Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/)

> [As a kid, as a poor-ish, working-class kid, even visiting America seemed like an impossible dream. Every time I ever went anywhere in America,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/as-a-kid-as-a-poor-ish-working-class-kid-even-visiting-america-seemed/)

[Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/)

> [I like traveling and I like not being part of the film world. Especially when you're in the middle of a junket, you're thinking,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/i-like-traveling-and-i-like-not-being-part-of-the-film-world/)

[Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/)

> [I never feel like a smug or a smart-alec film director, and there are plenty of those around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/i-never-feel-like-a-smug-or-a-smart-alec-film-director-and-there-are/)

[Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/)

> [When I'm happiest writing is just not knowing where it goes and just let the characters bring you there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/when-i-m-happiest-writing-is-just-not-knowing-where-it-goes-and-just/)

[Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/)

> [I'm not really into the fame side of things, so I'm very happy with making a film every four years or so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/i-m-not-really-into-the-fame-side-of-things-so-i-m-very-happy-with/)

[Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/)

> [When you've got good actors, they're going to come up with good stuff, but you're never quite sure how the dynamics are going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/when-you-ve-got-good-actors-they-re-going-to-come-up-with-good-stuff/)

[Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/)

> [I never really tell anyone what I'm writing beforehand because I usually don't know what it will be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/i-never-really-tell-anyone-what-i-m-writing-beforehand-because-i/)

[Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/)

> [I'd love to do something like 'A Canterbury Tale,' because I love the English language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/i-d-love-to-do-something-like-a-canterbury-tale-because-i-love-the/)

[Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/)

> [It's like two years straight out of your life doing a film. It's very enjoyable, especially working with the guys, but I kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/it-s-like-two-years-straight-out-of-your-life-doing-a-film-it-s-very/)

[Martin McDonagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/)

[Explore all 62 Martin McDonagh quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/)

## 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": "It isn't about being or not being dead, it's about what you leave behind",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Martin McDonagh"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/it-isn-t-about-being-or-not-being-dead-it-s-about-what-you-leave/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Behinds"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/it-isn-t-about-being-or-not-being-dead-it-s-about-what-you-leave/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/918/martin-mcdonagh-10860_behinds_it-isn-t-about-being-or-not-being-dead-i_2845294.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/918/martin-mcdonagh-10860_behinds_it-isn-t-about-being-or-not-being-dead-i_2845294.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/918/martin-mcdonagh-10860_behinds_it-isn-t-about-being-or-not-being-dead-i_2845294.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It isn't about being or not being dead, it's about what you leave behind” — Martin McDonagh",
                "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": "Martin McDonagh",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-mcdonagh/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It isn't about being or not...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/it-isn-t-about-being-or-not-being-dead-it-s-about-what-you-leave/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-mcdonagh/it-isn-t-about-being-or-not-being-dead-it-s-about-what-you-leave/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
