--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The measure of life is not its duration…" description: "\"The measure of life is not its duration, but its donation.\" — Peter Marshall" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfe/peter-marshall-10172_donation_the-measure-of-life-is-not-its-duration_625618.jpg" --- # The measure of life is not its duration, but its donation. ![“The measure of life is not its duration, but its donation.” quote by Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfe/peter-marshall-10172_donation_the-measure-of-life-is-not-its-duration_625618.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfe/peter-marshall-10172_donation_the-measure-of-life-is-not-its-duration_625618.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfe/peter-marshall-10172_donation_the-measure-of-life-is-not-its-duration_625618.jpg) > “The measure of life is not its duration, but its donation.” [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) ## 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 value lies in what we give, not how long we live. **In simple terms:** Life is measured by giving, not length. Key Takeaway Focus on contribution. Themes generosity purpose legacy Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - volunteering - philanthropy - career mentorship - family support Key Concepts Altruism existential meaning Questions to Reflect On - What can you give today? - How do you define a meaningful life? A Different Perspective Giving alone doesn't guarantee fulfillment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Donation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/donation/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/the-measure-of-a-life-after-all-is-not-its-duration-but-its-donation/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [The value of life is not in its duration, but in its donation. You are not important because of how long you live, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myles-munroe/the-value-of-life-is-not-in-its-duration-but-in-its-donation-you-are/) [Myles Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myles-munroe/) > [The value of life is not in its duration, but in its donation. You are not important because of how long you live, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myles-munroe/the-value-of-life-is-not-in-its-duration-but-in-its-donation-you-are-3/) [Myles Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myles-munroe/) > [The value of life is not in its duration, but in its donation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myles-munroe/the-value-of-life-is-not-in-its-duration-but-in-its-donation/) [Myles Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myles-munroe/) > [The value of life is not in its duration, but in its donation. You are not important because of how long you live, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myles-munroe/the-value-of-life-is-not-in-its-duration-but-in-its-donation-you-are-2/) [Myles Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myles-munroe/) > [The value of life isn't measured by its duration but in its donation. Being good to people is building a bridge that you'll need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-value-of-life-isn-t-measured-by-its-duration-but-in-its-donation/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“How do you measure someone’s life? By the scope of their accomplishments, or the number of people they’ve touched, or by the width of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yvonne-woon/how-do-you-measure-someone-s-life-by-the-scope-of-their/) [Yvonne Woon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yvonne-woon/) > [“If you measure your life by what you own, the cavern of your heart will never be filled.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-d-maxon/if-you-measure-your-life-by-what-you-own-the-cavern-of-your-heart/) [James D. Maxon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-d-maxon/) > [I measure my life out in books." "You should be measuring your life by living. Correction: you shouldn't be measuring your life. What's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-messud/i-measure-my-life-out-in-books-you-should-be-measuring-your-life-by/) [Claire Messud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-messud/) > [The measure of life is not in its length but what we do with it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-measure-of-life-is-not-in-its-length-but-what-we-do-with-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Measure your life by the value you have added.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/measure-your-life-by-the-value-you-have-added/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [“Measure your life by how much of your time you have converted.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/measure-your-life-by-how-much-of-your-time-you-have-converted/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [The way I ought to measure my life is in terms of the others I helped to become better and happier people. That's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clayton-christensen/the-way-i-ought-to-measure-my-life-is-in-terms-of-the-others-i-helped/) [Clayton Christensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clayton-christensen/) > [I measure my life in encounters and conversations with people and I've had a nice time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-ryder/i-measure-my-life-in-encounters-and-conversations-with-people-and-i/) [Sam Ryder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-ryder/) > [I don't measure my life by the money I've made. Other people might, but certainly don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-don-t-measure-my-life-by-the-money-i-ve-made-other-people-might-but/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) ## More by Peter Marshall > [Anarchism as a political philosophy seeks to dissolve all forms of authority and power, and if possible, wishes their complete abolition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/anarchism-as-a-political-philosophy-seeks-to-dissolve-all-forms-of/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [The true minister is in his pulpit not because he has chosen that profession as an easy means of livelihood, but because he could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/the-true-minister-is-in-his-pulpit-not-because-he-has-chosen-that/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/small-deeds-done-are-better-than-great-deeds-planned/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [I am growing more and more aware that all too often we preachers aim at nothing and hit it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/i-am-growing-more-and-more-aware-that-all-too-often-we-preachers-aim/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [Let us not fool ourselves - without Christianity, without Christian education, without the principles of Christ inculcated into young life, we are simply rearing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/let-us-not-fool-ourselves-without-christianity-without-christian/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/may-we-think-of-freedom-not-as-the-right-to-do-as-we-please-but-as/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [Lord, where we are wrong, make us willing to change; where we are right, make us easy to live with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/lord-where-we-are-wrong-make-us-willing-to-change-where-we-are-right/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [I know that no business contract, no order or commercial consideration can ever be worth the happiness of one's home or the peace of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/i-know-that-no-business-contract-no-order-or-commercial-consideration/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [Human nature must be changed if we are ever to have an end to war or to correct the wrong situations that make our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/human-nature-must-be-changed-if-we-are-ever-to-have-an-end-to-war-or/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [God does not leave us comfortless, but we have to be in dire need of comfort to know the truth of His promise. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/god-does-not-leave-us-comfortless-but-we-have-to-be-in-dire-need-of/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [One person with a belief is equal to a force of ninety-nine who have only interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/one-person-with-a-belief-is-equal-to-a-force-of-ninety-nine-who-have/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [“But," you may ask, "how can we forget the unkind things that are said...the cruel and unfair treatment one has received? How can we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/but-you-may-ask-how-can-we-forget-the-unkind-things-that-are-said-the/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [“longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: “that God governs in the affairs of man.” And if a sparrow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/longer-i-live-the-more-convincing-proofs-i-see-of-this-truth-that-god/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [This is a day of little faith - of few convictions - a day when men seem to have no great causes and no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/this-is-a-day-of-little-faith-of-few-convictions-a-day-when-men-seem/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [Give us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for- because unless we stand for something we shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/give-us-clear-vision-that-we-may-know-where-to-stand-and-what-to/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) [Explore all 67 Peter Marshall quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) ## More Donation quotes > [If you take all the food aid, America is by far the most generous country. If you take the direct aid, we're very generous.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/if-you-take-all-the-food-aid-america-is-by-far-the-most-generous/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [When people make donations to non profits, they want to know that their money goes to good use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-simon/when-people-make-donations-to-non-profits-they-want-to-know-that/) [Sam Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-simon/) > [We tell the for-profit sector, 'Spend, spend, spend on advertising until the last dollar no longer produces a penny of value,' but we don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pallotta/we-tell-the-for-profit-sector-spend-spend-spend-on-advertising-until/) [Dan Pallotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-pallotta/) > [People, the common people, can genuinely see what I'm doing. Moreover, people know that I have adopted four principles in living my life: simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdul-sattar-edhi/people-the-common-people-can-genuinely-see-what-i-m-doing-moreover/) [Abdul Sattar Edhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdul-sattar-edhi/) > [One of the best gifts you can give to an animal is a donation of a blanket to your local animal shelter during the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-ann-inaba/one-of-the-best-gifts-you-can-give-to-an-animal-is-a-donation-of-a/) [Carrie Ann Inaba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-ann-inaba/) > [Those who live off of the donations of capitalism are often its greatest critics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cook/those-who-live-off-of-the-donations-of-capitalism-are-often-its/) [James Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cook/) > [“Akin to the idea that time is money is the concept, less spoken by as commonly assumed, that we may be adequately represented by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/akin-to-the-idea-that-time-is-money-is-the-concept-less-spoken-by-as/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [“Love can be a natural endowment, a present, or a gift. If it is not just a donation, it can be a divine talent.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-pevernagie/love-can-be-a-natural-endowment-a-present-or-a-gift-if-it-is-not-just/) [Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-pevernagie/) > [The use of fetuses as organ and tissue donors is a ticking time bomb of bioethics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-caplan/the-use-of-fetuses-as-organ-and-tissue-donors-is-a-ticking-time-bomb/) [Arthur Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-caplan/) > [After 9/11, the American Red Cross received more than half a billion dollars in donations to help the victims of the terrorist attacks. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/after-9-11-the-american-red-cross-received-more-than-half-a-billion/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [As soon as we find a cure, we will utilize any of the donations to go toward providing medication to those who can't afford…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/montel-williams/as-soon-as-we-find-a-cure-we-will-utilize-any-of-the-donations-to-go/) [Montel Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/montel-williams/) > [I am the donation to the foundation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-davis/i-am-the-donation-to-the-foundation/) [Baron Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-davis/) > [If someone does not have a specific charity they would like to donate to, that's OK. An undesignated donation would be split up evenly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derren-brown/if-someone-does-not-have-a-specific-charity-they-would-like-to-donate/) [Derren Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derren-brown/) > [Letting go of someone you love is putting your favorite teddy bear in the donation box. You will miss it but you know someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/letting-go-of-someone-you-love-is-putting-your-favorite-teddy-bear-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/the-measure-of-a-life-after-all-is-not-its-duration-but-its-donation/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) [Browse all 166 Donation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/donation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The measure of life is not its duration, but its donation.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Peter Marshall" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/the-measure-of-life-is-not-its-duration-but-its-donation/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Donation" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/the-measure-of-life-is-not-its-duration-but-its-donation/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfe/peter-marshall-10172_donation_the-measure-of-life-is-not-its-duration_625618.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfe/peter-marshall-10172_donation_the-measure-of-life-is-not-its-duration_625618.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfe/peter-marshall-10172_donation_the-measure-of-life-is-not-its-duration_625618.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The measure of life is not its duration, but its donation.” — Peter Marshall", "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": "Peter Marshall", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The measure of life is not...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/the-measure-of-life-is-not-its-duration-but-its-donation/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/the-measure-of-life-is-not-its-duration-but-its-donation/#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 } } ] } ```