--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I try not to think about legacy because…" description: "\"I try not to think about legacy because it is all ­folly. If you study history, even recent history, you'll find many people who were quite significant..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c7/steve-martin-593_folly_i-try-not-to-think-about-legacy-because_2684491.jpg" --- # I try not to think about legacy because it is all ­folly… ![“I try not to think about legacy because it is all ­folly. If you study history, even recent history, you'll find many people who were quite significant in their time but are completely forgotten.” quote by Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c7/steve-martin-593_folly_i-try-not-to-think-about-legacy-because_2684491.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c7/steve-martin-593_folly_i-try-not-to-think-about-legacy-because_2684491.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c7/steve-martin-593_folly_i-try-not-to-think-about-legacy-because_2684491.jpg) > “I try not to think about legacy because it is all ­folly. If you study history, even recent history, you'll find many people who were quite significant in their time but are completely forgotten.” [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Legacy is fleeting; many once‑important figures fade from memory, making personal legacy less meaningful. **In simple terms:** History forgets many. Key Takeaway Focus on present joy, not future fame. Themes impermanence legacy history Mood reflective lighthearted Type philosophical humorous When to use this quote - career planning - personal goal setting - family discussions - philosophical debates Key Concepts existentialism human ego Questions to Reflect On - Do you need a lasting legacy? - How does focusing on the present affect happiness? A Different Perspective Legacy can still inspire others; it's not wholly futile. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Folly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/folly/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Legacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legacy/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [If you look at history, even recent history, you see that there is indeed progress. . . . Over time, the cycle is clearly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-look-at-history-even-recent-history-you-see-that-there-is/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I really feel sorry for kids who aren't interested in history - recent history, either, because it is this that made us what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-humphries/i-really-feel-sorry-for-kids-who-aren-t-interested-in-history-recent/) [Barry Humphries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-humphries/) > [I tend to like to read history - recent history, because I find that much more intriguing than just a writer's imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-ventura/i-tend-to-like-to-read-history-recent-history-because-i-find-that/) [Jesse Ventura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-ventura/) > [“There will be no legacy for Mr. Bush. I don't believe his successor would re-enunciate the words he used in his second inaugural address…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-buckley/there-will-be-no-legacy-for-mr-bush-i-don-t-believe-his-successor/) [William F. Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-f-buckley/) > [What's success all about? What's philanthropy all about? Let's think of our legacy, following in the footsteps of some great Americans like the Carnegies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-braman/what-s-success-all-about-what-s-philanthropy-all-about-let-s-think-of/) [Norman Braman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-braman/) > [When I think of a legacy, I think of the legacy of being a mom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwen-stefani/when-i-think-of-a-legacy-i-think-of-the-legacy-of-being-a-mom/) [Gwen Stefani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwen-stefani/) > [I think the legacy I'll leave on music is just an artist that went out here and gave 100%.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginuwine/i-think-the-legacy-i-ll-leave-on-music-is-just-an-artist-that-went/) [Ginuwine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginuwine/) > [I think the legacy we leave is our family. I don't think it's money. I don't think it's - I'm not saying that charity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-buble/i-think-the-legacy-we-leave-is-our-family-i-don-t-think-it-s-money-i/) [Michael Buble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-buble/) > [I don't really think about legacy. I just think of how fortunate I am to have had the opportunities in my life. You know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marty-walsh/i-don-t-really-think-about-legacy-i-just-think-of-how-fortunate-i-am/) [Marty Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marty-walsh/) > [I think the legacy is really the company that we built. That's what makes me happy. I'm a very simple person, so that's all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parker-harris/i-think-the-legacy-is-really-the-company-that-we-built-that-s-what/) [Parker Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parker-harris/) > [I think about legacy, of course. I don't want to make my life nothing. I want to know that I died and made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessie-reyez/i-think-about-legacy-of-course-i-don-t-want-to-make-my-life-nothing-i/) [Jessie Reyez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessie-reyez/) > [I just look at what's ahead of me. I don't think about, 'For my legacy, I need to do this, this, and this.' I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cain-velasquez/i-just-look-at-what-s-ahead-of-me-i-don-t-think-about-for-my-legacy-i/) [Cain Velasquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cain-velasquez/) > [I think the legacy left behind by 'Battlestar' speaks for itself. I thought that these avid fans, most of whom were skeptical at first...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-think-the-legacy-left-behind-by-battlestar-speaks-for-itself-i/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [I think the legacy of the space station will be that we can do something this technically complex in an international way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-whitson/i-think-the-legacy-of-the-space-station-will-be-that-we-can-do/) [Peggy Whitson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-whitson/) > [Please think about your legacy, because you're writing it every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-vaynerchuk/please-think-about-your-legacy-because-you-re-writing-it-every-day/) [Gary Vaynerchuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-vaynerchuk/) ## More by Steve Martin > [“People in coats and ties were milling around the Talley gallery, and on the wall were the minimally rendered still lifes by Giorgio Morandi,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/people-in-coats-and-ties-were-milling-around-the-talley-gallery-and/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [“It was easy to be great. Every entertainer has a night when everything is clicking. These nights are accidental and statistical: Like lucky cards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/it-was-easy-to-be-great-every-entertainer-has-a-night-when-everything/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I like a woman with a head on her shoulders. I hate necks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/i-like-a-woman-with-a-head-on-her-shoulders-i-hate-necks/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [“And after his unparsable response, including a passage where he said he was 'blurring the boundaries between a thing and thought,' she said, 'Thank…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/and-after-his-unparsable-response-including-a-passage-where-he-said/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I have no fear, no fear at all. I wake up, and I have no fear. I go to bed without fear. Fear, fear,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/i-have-no-fear-no-fear-at-all-i-wake-up-and-i-have-no-fear-i-go-to/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [“Be undeniably good.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/be-undeniably-good/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [When I finally retire, I just want to go away so no one has to listen to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/when-i-finally-retire-i-just-want-to-go-away-so-no-one-has-to-listen/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [Only then does he realize what he has done to Mirabelle, how wanting a square inch of her and not all of her has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/only-then-does-he-realize-what-he-has-done-to-mirabelle-how-wanting-a/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [“Lacey was just as happy alone as with company. When she was alone, she was potential; with others she was realized. Alone, she was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/lacey-was-just-as-happy-alone-as-with-company-when-she-was-alone-she/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [At first I had no skills in writing comedy. I didn't know what a joke was, but, as someone once told me, your emotions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/at-first-i-had-no-skills-in-writing-comedy-i-didn-t-know-what-a-joke/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [You cannot make your opportunities concur with the opportunities of people whose incomes are ten times greater than yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/you-cannot-make-your-opportunities-concur-with-the-opportunities-of/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The lure in art collecting and its financial rewards, not counting for a moment its aesthetic, cultural and intellectual rewards, is like the trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/the-lure-in-art-collecting-and-its-financial-rewards-not-counting-for/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [My most persistent memory of stand - up is of my mouth being in the present and my mind being in the future: the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/my-most-persistent-memory-of-stand-up-is-of-my-mouth-being-in-the/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [What I mean is that none of my talents had a - what's that great word - rubric. A singer, an actor, a dancer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/what-i-mean-is-that-none-of-my-talents-had-a-what-s-that-great-word/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) [Explore all 453 Steve Martin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) ## More Folly quotes > [My folks tried to make a preacher of me and missed by a narrow margin… I would have made a good one if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/my-folks-tried-to-make-a-preacher-of-me-and-missed-by-a-narrow-margin/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [How arrogant - how very far from humility - would be the self-satisfied, smug assurance that God, a tidy-up-after-us God will come and clean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-whitehouse/how-arrogant-how-very-far-from-humility-would-be-the-self-satisfied/) [Sheldon Whitehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-whitehouse/) > [“Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/proverbs-16-22-bible-kjv/understanding-is-a-wellspring-of-life-unto-him-that-hath-it-but-the/) Proverbs 16:22 Bible KJV > [Alcohol doesn't console, it doesn't fill up anyone's psychological gaps, all it replaces is the lack of God. It doesn't comfort man. On the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marguerite-duras/alcohol-doesn-t-console-it-doesn-t-fill-up-anyone-s-psychological/) [Marguerite Duras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marguerite-duras/) > [Tis easy to break an idol, very easy: to regard the self as easy to subdue is folly, folly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/tis-easy-to-break-an-idol-very-easy-to-regard-the-self-as-easy-to/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [You are my inspiration and my folly. You are my light across the sea, my million nameless joys, and my day's wage. You are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/you-are-my-inspiration-and-my-folly-you-are-my-light-across-the-sea/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [What curious little corners of folly are to be found in even the sanest brain!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-of-romania/what-curious-little-corners-of-folly-are-to-be-found-in-even-the/) [Marie of Romania](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-of-romania/) > [Unnecessary hustle is one of the American follies. We hustle at both work and play, and consequently enjoy neither to the utmost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-feather/unnecessary-hustle-is-one-of-the-american-follies-we-hustle-at-both/) [William Feather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-feather/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Democracy is the worst form of government. It is the most inefficient, the most clumsy, the most unpractical… It reduces wisdom to impotence and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-briffault/democracy-is-the-worst-form-of-government-it-is-the-most-inefficient/) [Robert Briffault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-briffault/) > [It is such a supreme folly to believe that nuclear weapons are deadly only if they're used.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/it-is-such-a-supreme-folly-to-believe-that-nuclear-weapons-are-deadly/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [One's conscience reproaches one much more stingingly for one's follies than one's crimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-jewsbury/one-s-conscience-reproaches-one-much-more-stingingly-for-one-s/) [Geraldine Jewsbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-jewsbury/) > [What folly made young people, even those in middle age, think they were immortal? How much better, their lives, if they could remember the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohinton-mistry/what-folly-made-young-people-even-those-in-middle-age-think-they-were/) [Rohinton Mistry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohinton-mistry/) > [We are more heavily taxed by our idleness, pride and folly than we are taxed by government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/we-are-more-heavily-taxed-by-our-idleness-pride-and-folly-than-we-are/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) [Browse all 1,246 Folly quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/folly/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I try not to think about legacy because it is all ­folly. If you study history, even recent history, you'll find many people who were quite significant in their time but are completely forgotten.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Steve Martin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/i-try-not-to-think-about-legacy-because-it-is-all-folly-if-you-study/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Folly" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/i-try-not-to-think-about-legacy-because-it-is-all-folly-if-you-study/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c7/steve-martin-593_folly_i-try-not-to-think-about-legacy-because_2684491.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c7/steve-martin-593_folly_i-try-not-to-think-about-legacy-because_2684491.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c7/steve-martin-593_folly_i-try-not-to-think-about-legacy-because_2684491.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I try not to think about legacy because it is all ­folly. If you study history, even recent history, you'll…” — Steve Martin", "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": "Steve Martin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I try not to think about...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/i-try-not-to-think-about-legacy-because-it-is-all-folly-if-you-study/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/i-try-not-to-think-about-legacy-because-it-is-all-folly-if-you-study/#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 } } ] } ```