--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can retire from a job, but don't ever…" description: "\"You can retire from a job, but don't ever retire from making extremely meaningful contributions in life.\" — Stephen Covey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/010/stephen-covey-339_change_you-can-retire-from-a-job-but-don-t-ever_2128680.png" --- # You can retire from a job, but don't ever retire from… ![“You can retire from a job, but don't ever retire from making extremely meaningful contributions in life.” quote by Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/010/stephen-covey-339_change_you-can-retire-from-a-job-but-don-t-ever_2128680.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/010/stephen-covey-339_change_you-can-retire-from-a-job-but-don-t-ever_2128680.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/010/stephen-covey-339_change_you-can-retire-from-a-job-but-don-t-ever_2128680.png) > “You can retire from a job, but don't ever retire from making extremely meaningful contributions in life.” [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Encourages continual contribution and purpose beyond formal retirement. **In simple terms:** Keep contributing meaningfully after work. Key Takeaway Never stop contributing. Themes purpose legacy lifelong learning Mood inspirational thoughtful Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career transition - volunteering - mentoring - personal projects Key Concepts humanism motivation Questions to Reflect On - What meaningful contributions can you start today? - How can you stay engaged after retirement? A Different Perspective Retirement may reduce resources for impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Contribution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contribution/) [Doing what you love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-what-you-love/) [Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Meaningful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaningful/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Retirement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/retirement/) ## Related quotes > [The plan was that I was going to retire and take a job with the American Federation, but Nottingham Forest offered me a contract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-gough/the-plan-was-that-i-was-going-to-retire-and-take-a-job-with-the/) [Richard Gough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-gough/) > [You want to retire from a job you're not that all enamoured with. I love what I do. I want to keep doing it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-freeman/you-want-to-retire-from-a-job-you-re-not-that-all-enamoured-with-i/) [Morgan Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-freeman/) > [If you are smart, you never retire. You may retire from that job you have had for many years, but you will pick up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-are-smart-you-never-retire-you-may-retire-from-that-job-you/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Retire from your job but never from meaningful projects. If you want to live a long life, you need eustress, that is, a deep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/retire-from-your-job-but-never-from-meaningful-projects-if-you-want/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [I want to be a mom. It's something that when I do have kids, I think I will retire from making music for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karol-g/i-want-to-be-a-mom-it-s-something-that-when-i-do-have-kids-i-think-i/) [Karol G](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karol-g/) > [All one needs to do is read - books, magazines, research the Internet - and pay attention to the influencers in their lives to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/all-one-needs-to-do-is-read-books-magazines-research-the-internet-and/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [Be involved; be informed. Make meaningful contributions to society through service and involvement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-russell-ballard/be-involved-be-informed-make-meaningful-contributions-to-society/) [M. Russell Ballard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-russell-ballard/) > [The companies that make meaningful contributions while also listening to the voices of others are the ones that will genuinely engage their community, who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mainwaring/the-companies-that-make-meaningful-contributions-while-also-listening/) [Simon Mainwaring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mainwaring/) > [It's not just a question of doing what you love for a living. It's about doing what you love with love. Then your life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rasheed-ogunlaru/it-s-not-just-a-question-of-doing-what-you-love-for-a-living-it-s/) [Rasheed Ogunlaru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rasheed-ogunlaru/) > [There's always going to be someone out there... who doesn't believe in you or who thinks your head is too big or you're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/there-s-always-going-to-be-someone-out-there-who-doesn-t-believe-in/) [Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/) > [Keep doing what you love to the best of your ability. Stop judging and get out of your own way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/keep-doing-what-you-love-to-the-best-of-your-ability-stop-judging-and/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [So much of what happened to me is good fortune. But I would say: Try to get a job that gives you some time;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lynch/so-much-of-what-happened-to-me-is-good-fortune-but-i-would-say-try-to/) [David Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lynch/) > [I do not see myself as talented. I just sweat it off, doing what you love is the key to success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/i-do-not-see-myself-as-talented-i-just-sweat-it-off-doing-what-you/) [Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/) > [I think people who are creative are the luckiest people on earth. I know that there are no shortcuts, but you must keep your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-collins/i-think-people-who-are-creative-are-the-luckiest-people-on-earth-i/) [Judy Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-collins/) > [If you follow your passion, you'll never work a day in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-bennett/if-you-follow-your-passion-you-ll-never-work-a-day-in-your-life/) [Tony Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-bennett/) ## More by Stephen Covey > [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Empathic listening takes time, but it doesn't take anywhere near as much time as it takes to back up and correct misunderstandings when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doesn-t-take-anywhere-near-as/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [The fire inside people is like a match; the way to ignite that flame is initially through friction, then other matches are lit through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/the-fire-inside-people-is-like-a-match-the-way-to-ignite-that-flame/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [In a very real sense, there are only two roles in organisations: customers and suppliers. Everybody functions simultaneously in both roles, whether inside or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/in-a-very-real-sense-there-are-only-two-roles-in-organisations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [To blame and accuse other people, is to choose to empower them, to control us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-choose-to-empower-them-to/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/be-part-of-the-solution-not-part-of-the-problem/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [If you are an effective manager of your self, your discipline comes from within; it is a function of your independent will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/if-you-are-an-effective-manager-of-your-self-your-discipline-comes/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [I believe in Coach Louis Wong. He is so much more than just a football coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/i-believe-in-coach-louis-wong-he-is-so-much-more-than-just-a-football/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people struggle with life balance simply because they haven't paid the price to decide what is really important to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-struggle-with-life-balance-simply-because-they-haven-t/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Highly proactive people don't blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circumstances-conditions-or/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [When it comes to developing character strength, inner security and unique personal and interpersonal talents and skills in a child, no institution can or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-it-comes-to-developing-character-strength-inner-security-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people define greatness through wealth and popularity and position in the corner office. But what I call everyday greatness comes from character and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-define-greatness-through-wealth-and-popularity-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Contrary to what most people believe, trust is not some soft, illusive quality that you either have or you don't; rather, trust is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/contrary-to-what-most-people-believe-trust-is-not-some-soft-illusive/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [We are limited but we can push back the borders of our limitations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-are-limited-but-we-can-push-back-the-borders-of-our-limitations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Many people seem to think that success in one area can compensate for failure in other areas. But can it really?... True effectiveness requires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/many-people-seem-to-think-that-success-in-one-area-can-compensate-for/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Explore all 663 Stephen Covey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can retire from a job, but don't ever retire from making extremely meaningful contributions in life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Covey" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-retire-from-a-job-but-don-t-ever-retire-from-making-extremely/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-retire-from-a-job-but-don-t-ever-retire-from-making-extremely/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/010/stephen-covey-339_change_you-can-retire-from-a-job-but-don-t-ever_2128680.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/010/stephen-covey-339_change_you-can-retire-from-a-job-but-don-t-ever_2128680.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/010/stephen-covey-339_change_you-can-retire-from-a-job-but-don-t-ever_2128680.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You can retire from a job, but don't ever retire from making extremely meaningful contributions in life.” — Stephen Covey", "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": "Stephen Covey", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You can retire from a job,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-retire-from-a-job-but-don-t-ever-retire-from-making-extremely/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-retire-from-a-job-but-don-t-ever-retire-from-making-extremely/#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 } } ] } ```