--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I die tomorrow or in a year, it is the…" description: "\"If I die tomorrow or in a year, it is the same — it is the message you leave behind you that counts.\" — Rita Levi-Montalcini" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/396/rita-levi-montalcini-22012_behind-you_if-i-die-tomorrow-or-in-a-year-it-is-the_2525375.jpg" --- # If I die tomorrow or in a year, it is the same — it is the… ![“If I die tomorrow or in a year, it is the same — it is the message you leave behind you that counts.” quote by Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/396/rita-levi-montalcini-22012_behind-you_if-i-die-tomorrow-or-in-a-year-it-is-the_2525375.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/396/rita-levi-montalcini-22012_behind-you_if-i-die-tomorrow-or-in-a-year-it-is-the_2525375.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/396/rita-levi-montalcini-22012_behind-you_if-i-die-tomorrow-or-in-a-year-it-is-the_2525375.jpg) > “If I die tomorrow or in a year, it is the same — it is the message you leave behind you that counts.” [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Legacy matters more than lifespan; what you contribute endures beyond your death. **In simple terms:** What you leave behind defines you. Key Takeaway Focus on lasting impact. Themes legacy meaning purpose Mood inspirational thoughtful Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - community service - teaching - artistic creation Key Concepts Existentialism humanism ethical living Questions to Reflect On - What legacy do you wish to create? - How can you start building it today? A Different Perspective Short lives can still produce profound influence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Message](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/message/) [Messages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/messages/) [Tomorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tomorrow/) ## Related quotes > [“If I die tomorrow, next year or whenever it might be, I'll know I've had a great life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gutman/if-i-die-tomorrow-next-year-or-whenever-it-might-be-i-ll-know-i-ve/) Bill Gutman > [“Let me give you a New Year message: Believe in yourself, because no one ever achieved anything significant without believing in himself and no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/let-me-give-you-a-new-year-message-believe-in-yourself-because-no-one/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [If we are ever to enjoy life, now is the time-not tomorrow, nor next year, nor in some future life after we have died.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-dreier/if-we-are-ever-to-enjoy-life-now-is-the-time-not-tomorrow-nor-next-2/) [Thomas Dreier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-dreier/) > [If we are ever to enjoy life, now is the time, not tomorrow or next year… Today should always be our most wonderful day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-dreier/if-we-are-ever-to-enjoy-life-now-is-the-time-not-tomorrow-or-next/) [Thomas Dreier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-dreier/) > [“PROCRASTINATION. The habit of putting off until tomorrow that which should have been done last year.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/procrastination-the-habit-of-putting-off-until-tomorrow-that-which/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Strong families use the word "we" a lot, but "I" is never forgotten. Family members know they have the freedom to go off on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-brothers/strong-families-use-the-word-we-a-lot-but-i-is-never-forgotten-family/) [Joyce Brothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-brothers/) > [“You are leaving me messages, but I haven't gotten the message yet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/you-are-leaving-me-messages-but-i-haven-t-gotten-the-message-yet/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [Fax me a fact and I'll telegram a hologram or telephone the son of man and tell him he is done. Leave a message…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-williams/fax-me-a-fact-and-i-ll-telegram-a-hologram-or-telephone-the-son-of/) [Saul Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-williams/) > [The message of frustration is an exciting signal. it means that your brain beleives you could be doing better than you currently are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/the-message-of-frustration-is-an-exciting-signal-it-means-that-your/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [It is not nearly so important how well a message is received as how well it is sent. You cannot take responsibility for how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/it-is-not-nearly-so-important-how-well-a-message-is-received-as-how/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [I'm an imperfect messenger, but the message is perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/i-m-an-imperfect-messenger-but-the-message-is-perfect/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [The explosion was good. It sent a message to the rest of the world that the time of the big star getting all this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sumner-redstone/the-explosion-was-good-it-sent-a-message-to-the-rest-of-the-world/) [Sumner Redstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sumner-redstone/) > [Have God make a message out of your mess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/have-god-make-a-message-out-of-your-mess/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [Listen to Jesus and follow him. That's the message of the Transfiguration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/listen-to-jesus-and-follow-him-that-s-the-message-of-the/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [When I first started, my message was about joy, but I didn't really have the vocabulary and life experience to fully deliver it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/when-i-first-started-my-message-was-about-joy-but-i-didn-t-really/) [Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/) ## More by Rita Levi-Montalcini > [ As for the presence of large NGF \[nerve growth factor\] sources in snake venom and male genital organs, they may be conceived as instances… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/as-for-the-presence-of-large-ngf-nerve-growth-factor-sources-in-snake/) [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) > [It is imperfection - not perfection - that is the end result of the program written into that formidably complex engine that is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/it-is-imperfection-not-perfection-that-is-the-end-result-of-the/) [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) > [Babies did not attract me, and I was altogether without the maternal sense so highly developed in small and adolescent girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/babies-did-not-attract-me-and-i-was-altogether-without-the-maternal/) [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) > [At 100, I have a mind that is superior - thanks to experience- than when i was 20.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/at-100-i-have-a-mind-that-is-superior-thanks-to-experience-than-when/) [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) > [My life has been enriched by excellent human relations, work and interests. I have never felt lonely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/my-life-has-been-enriched-by-excellent-human-relations-work-and/) [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) > [The four of us enjoyed a most wonderful family atmosphere filled with love and reciprocal devotion. Both parents were highly cultured and instilled in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/the-four-of-us-enjoyed-a-most-wonderful-family-atmosphere-filled-with/) [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) > [Progress depends on our brain. The most important part of our brain, that which is neocortical, must be used to help others and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/progress-depends-on-our-brain-the-most-important-part-of-our-brain/) [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) > [At 20, I realized that I could not possibly adjust to a feminine role as conceived by my father and asked him permission to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/at-20-i-realized-that-i-could-not-possibly-adjust-to-a-feminine-role/) [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) > [I told Mother of my decision to study medicine. She encouraged me to speak to Father... I began in a roundabout way... He listened,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/i-told-mother-of-my-decision-to-study-medicine-she-encouraged-me-to/) [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) > [If I had not been discriminated against or had not suffered persecution, I would never have received the Nobel Prize.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/if-i-had-not-been-discriminated-against-or-had-not-suffered/) [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) > [After a short period spent in Brussels as a guest of a neurological institute, I returned to Turin on the verge of the invasion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/after-a-short-period-spent-in-brussels-as-a-guest-of-a-neurological/) [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) > [You've been thinking about something without willing to for a long time...Then, all of a sudden, the problem is opened to you in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/you-ve-been-thinking-about-something-without-willing-to-for-a-long/) [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) > [I tell young people: Do not think of yourself, think of others. Think of the future that awaits you, think about what you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/i-tell-young-people-do-not-think-of-yourself-think-of-others-think-of/) [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) > [I say to the young, be happy that you were born in Italy because of the beauty of the human capital, both masculine and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/i-say-to-the-young-be-happy-that-you-were-born-in-italy-because-of/) [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) > [Find first peace within yourself. Don't eat too much. Keep your brain active. Love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/find-first-peace-within-yourself-don-t-eat-too-much-keep-your-brain/) [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) [Explore all 26 Rita Levi-Montalcini quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) ## More Behind you quotes > [Strong families use the word "we" a lot, but "I" is never forgotten. Family members know they have the freedom to go off on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-brothers/strong-families-use-the-word-we-a-lot-but-i-is-never-forgotten-family/) [Joyce Brothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-brothers/) > [For God is wholly present in all creation, in every corner, he is behind you and before you. Do you think he is sleeping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/for-god-is-wholly-present-in-all-creation-in-every-corner-he-is/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [The worst thing that can happen is that the effect that they create behind you is bigger than the performance you're putting out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/the-worst-thing-that-can-happen-is-that-the-effect-that-they-create/) [Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-hiroyuki-tagawa/) > [I would rather speak the truth to ten men than blandishments and lying to a million. Try it, ye who think there is nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/i-would-rather-speak-the-truth-to-ten-men-than-blandishments-and/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Leave your yawns behind you and feel the tiny new breeze of life lighting up inside of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-porchon-lynch/leave-your-yawns-behind-you-and-feel-the-tiny-new-breeze-of-life/) [Tao Porchon-Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-porchon-lynch/) > [Be sure that Christ is not behind you, but before, calling and drawing you on. This is the liberty, the beautiful liberty of Christ.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-bushnell/be-sure-that-christ-is-not-behind-you-but-before-calling-and-drawing/) [Horace Bushnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-bushnell/) > [When you become angry, you enter a tunnel, leaving the light behind you; when you get calm, you exit the tunnel, finding the light…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/when-you-become-angry-you-enter-a-tunnel-leaving-the-light-behind-you/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I wish you were that birch rising from the clump behind you, and I the gray oak alongside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-hall/i-wish-you-were-that-birch-rising-from-the-clump-behind-you-and-i-the/) [Donald Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-hall/) > [What has happened has happened and it is now behind you. Take the best of it all as you move positively forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-marston/what-has-happened-has-happened-and-it-is-now-behind-you-take-the-best/) [Ralph Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-marston/) > [A cultivated style would be like a mask. Everybody knows it's a mask, and sooner or later you must show yourself -- or at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-anne-porter/a-cultivated-style-would-be-like-a-mask-everybody-knows-it-s-a-mask/) [Katherine Anne Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-anne-porter/) > [I understand the opposite side of the camera. I have a profound respect for that. I have worked with people who, when you hit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-gyllenhaal/i-understand-the-opposite-side-of-the-camera-i-have-a-profound/) [Jake Gyllenhaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-gyllenhaal/) > [Man, do not pride yourself on your superiority to the animals, for they are without sin, while you, with all your greatness, you defile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/man-do-not-pride-yourself-on-your-superiority-to-the-animals-for-they/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The thing about 50 is that you've clearly reached a point where you have more of your life behind you than ahead of you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/the-thing-about-50-is-that-you-ve-clearly-reached-a-point-where-you/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Inwardly you are God, outwardly you are a person. Instead of thinking you are just a person, that appearance, you can awake to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-harding/inwardly-you-are-god-outwardly-you-are-a-person-instead-of-thinking/) [Douglas Harding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-harding/) > [After all the planets and all the hosts you've left behind, you've finally found the place and the body you'd die for. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/after-all-the-planets-and-all-the-hosts-you-ve-left-behind-you-ve/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) Browse all 320 Behind you quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If I die tomorrow or in a year, it is the same — it is the message you leave behind you that counts.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rita Levi-Montalcini" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/if-i-die-tomorrow-or-in-a-year-it-is-the-same-it-is-the-message-you/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Behind you" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/if-i-die-tomorrow-or-in-a-year-it-is-the-same-it-is-the-message-you/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/396/rita-levi-montalcini-22012_behind-you_if-i-die-tomorrow-or-in-a-year-it-is-the_2525375.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/396/rita-levi-montalcini-22012_behind-you_if-i-die-tomorrow-or-in-a-year-it-is-the_2525375.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/396/rita-levi-montalcini-22012_behind-you_if-i-die-tomorrow-or-in-a-year-it-is-the_2525375.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If I die tomorrow or in a year, it is the same — it is the message you leave behind you that counts.” — Rita Levi-Montalcini", "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": "Rita Levi-Montalcini", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If I die tomorrow or in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/if-i-die-tomorrow-or-in-a-year-it-is-the-same-it-is-the-message-you/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/if-i-die-tomorrow-or-in-a-year-it-is-the-same-it-is-the-message-you/#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 } } ] } ```