--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Success in life is to maintain this…" description: "\"“Success in life is to maintain this ecstasy, to burn always with this hard gemlike flame.”\" — Tom Stoppard" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a5/tom-stoppard-437_life_success-in-life-is-to-maintain-this-ecst_1031380.png" --- # Success in life is to maintain this ecstasy, to burn… ![“Success in life is to maintain this ecstasy, to burn always with this hard gemlike flame.” quote by Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a5/tom-stoppard-437_life_success-in-life-is-to-maintain-this-ecst_1031380.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a5/tom-stoppard-437_life_success-in-life-is-to-maintain-this-ecst_1031380.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a5/tom-stoppard-437_life_success-in-life-is-to-maintain-this-ecst_1031380.png) > ““Success in life is to maintain this ecstasy, to burn always with this hard gemlike flame.”” [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He defines success as sustaining intense passion, likening it to an ever‑burning, precious flame. **In simple terms:** Success is a constant, fierce passion. Key Takeaway Cultivate lasting inner fire. Themes passion success perseverance intensity Mood determined inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career pursuits - artistic creation - personal growth Key Concepts existentialism motivation Questions to Reflect On - What fuels your inner flame? - How do you keep passion alive over time? A Different Perspective Passion can wane without renewal. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Burn Hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burn-hard-557611/) [Ecstasy Burn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ecstasy-burn-2358320/) [Gemlike Flame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gemlike-flame-769164/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Maintain Ecstasy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maintain-ecstasy-769166/) [Success in life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success-in-life/) [Success life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success-life/) ## Related quotes > [To burn always with this hard, gemlike flame, to maintain this ecstasy, is success in life . . . Not the fruit of experience,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-pater/to-burn-always-with-this-hard-gemlike-flame-to-maintain-this-ecstasy/) [Walter Pater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-pater/) > [“To burn always with this hard gemlike flame, to maintain this ecstasy, is success in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-pater/to-burn-always-with-this-hard-gemlike-flame-to-maintain-this-ecstasy-3/) [Walter Pater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-pater/) > [To burn always with this hard, gemlike flame, to maintain this ecstasy, is success in life. ... While all melts under our feet, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-pater/to-burn-always-with-this-hard-gemlike-flame-to-maintain-this-ecstasy-2/) [Walter Pater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-pater/) > [To burn always with this hard, gem-like flame, to maintain this ecstasy, is success in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-pater/to-burn-always-with-this-hard-gem-like-flame-to-maintain-this-ecstasy/) [Walter Pater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-pater/) > [We burn so hard, but we shed so little light; it makes us crazy and sad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/we-burn-so-hard-but-we-shed-so-little-light-it-makes-us-crazy-and-sad/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [Models are like athletes: You burn hard and fast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elettra-rossellini-wiedemann/models-are-like-athletes-you-burn-hard-and-fast/) [Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elettra-rossellini-wiedemann/) > [Some people want to go forever, I just want to burn off hard and bright.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-adams/some-people-want-to-go-forever-i-just-want-to-burn-off-hard-and-bright/) [Ryan Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-adams/) > [Your success in life will be in direct proportion to what you do after you do what you are expected to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/your-success-in-life-will-be-in-direct-proportion-to-what-you-do/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Success in life is my game. I collect as many coins as possible, rescue the princess, and climb the stairs to the next level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-taylor/success-in-life-is-my-game-i-collect-as-many-coins-as-possible-rescue/) [Zach Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-taylor/) > [I will judge my success in life by how many people feel safe enough to cry in my arms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/i-will-judge-my-success-in-life-by-how-many-people-feel-safe-enough/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [The prime necessities for success in life are money, athleticism, tailor made clothes and a charming smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/the-prime-necessities-for-success-in-life-are-money-athleticism/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [My dad was my best friend. I worshipped him. All of my success in life really comes from him. He believed that you get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-j-cannell/my-dad-was-my-best-friend-i-worshipped-him-all-of-my-success-in-life/) [Stephen J. Cannell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-j-cannell/) > [Imagine if your success in life is determined only by your guts, your hard work, and your willpower, and not by the wealth of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-ng/imagine-if-your-success-in-life-is-determined-only-by-your-guts-your/) [Andrew Ng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-ng/) > [I should never have made my success in life if I had not bestowed upon the least thing I have ever undertaken the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-should-never-have-made-my-success-in-life-if-i-had-not-bestowed/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/part-of-the-secret-of-success-in-life-is-to-eat-what-you-like-and-let/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) ## More by Tom Stoppard > [If I wanted to change the world, the last thing I would do is write a play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/if-i-wanted-to-change-the-world-the-last-thing-i-would-do-is-write-a/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [If you want to change something by Tuesday, theater is no good. Journalism is what does that. But, if you want to just alter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/if-you-want-to-change-something-by-tuesday-theater-is-no-good/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Childhood is Last Chance Gulch for happiness. After that, you know too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/childhood-is-last-chance-gulch-for-happiness-after-that-you-know-too/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [After all these years, I definitely associate having a pen in my hand with having an ashtray just out of eye line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/after-all-these-years-i-definitely-associate-having-a-pen-in-my-hand/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [The universe is deterministic all right, just like Newton said, I mean it's trying to be, but the only thing going wrong is people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/the-universe-is-deterministic-all-right-just-like-newton-said-i-mean/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [For me, human rights simply endorse a view of life and a set of moral values that are perfectly clear to an eight-year-old child.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/for-me-human-rights-simply-endorse-a-view-of-life-and-a-set-of-moral/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [“What is an artist? For every thousand people there's nine hundred doing the work, ninety doing well, nine doing good, and one lucky bastard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/what-is-an-artist-for-every-thousand-people-there-s-nine-hundred/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Dying is not romantic, and death is not a game which will soon be over... Death is not anything... death is not... It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/dying-is-not-romantic-and-death-is-not-a-game-which-will-soon-be-over/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [I'm not interested in clothes; I just like them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/i-m-not-interested-in-clothes-i-just-like-them/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [For 10 years of my life, 3 times a day, I thanked the Lord for what I was about to receive and thanked him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/for-10-years-of-my-life-3-times-a-day-i-thanked-the-lord-for-what-i/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [You should not translate for more than two hours at a time. After that, you lose your edge, the language becomes clumsy, rigid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/you-should-not-translate-for-more-than-two-hours-at-a-time-after-that/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [No matter how imperfect things are, if you've got a free press everything is correctable, and without it everything is concealable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/no-matter-how-imperfect-things-are-if-you-ve-got-a-free-press/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [We must be born with an intuition of mortality. Before we know the word for it. Before we know that there are words. Out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/we-must-be-born-with-an-intuition-of-mortality-before-we-know-the/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Eternity's a terrible thought. I mean, where's it all going to end?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/eternity-s-a-terrible-thought-i-mean-where-s-it-all-going-to-end/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [There is truth and falsehood in a comma.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/there-is-truth-and-falsehood-in-a-comma/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) [Explore all 559 Tom Stoppard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) ## More Life quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [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/) > [Life works most perfectly when a reciprocal love relationship is in place between man and God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/life-works-most-perfectly-when-a-reciprocal-love-relationship-is-in/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [I value the experiences that come with life too much to sit by and not put my full effort into them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-value-the-experiences-that-come-with-life-too-much-to-sit-by-and/) [Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/) > [Entertainment is a sacred pursuit when done well. When done well, it raises the quality of human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/entertainment-is-a-sacred-pursuit-when-done-well-when-done-well-it/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [“There's more to life than you can see. Your sight is limited.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-kling/there-s-more-to-life-than-you-can-see-your-sight-is-limited/) [Tammy Kling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-kling/) > [“I've spent much of my life calling my intuition "something wrong with me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deanna-l-lawlis/i-ve-spent-much-of-my-life-calling-my-intuition-something-wrong-with/) [Deanna L. Lawlis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deanna-l-lawlis/) > [When you do things they're absolutely right at that time for you and it can always teach you something about yourself. You can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kym-marsh/when-you-do-things-they-re-absolutely-right-at-that-time-for-you-and/) [Kym Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kym-marsh/) > [The only people who think the Internet is a calamity are people whose lives have been hurt by it; the only people who insist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/the-only-people-who-think-the-internet-is-a-calamity-are-people-whose/) [Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/) > [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The future is only an indifferent void no one cares about, but the past is filled with life, and its countenance is irritating, repellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-future-is-only-an-indifferent-void-no-one-cares-about-but-the/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [Two things revolutionised life: moving to the countryside and falling in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-love/two-things-revolutionised-life-moving-to-the-countryside-and-falling/) [Nick Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-love/) > [But just remember, life without me would be even more unbearable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/but-just-remember-life-without-me-would-be-even-more-unbearable/) [Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/) [Browse all 265,290 Life quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Success in life is to maintain this ecstasy, to burn always with this hard gemlike flame.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tom Stoppard" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/success-in-life-is-to-maintain-this-ecstasy-to-burn-always-with-this/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Life" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/success-in-life-is-to-maintain-this-ecstasy-to-burn-always-with-this/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a5/tom-stoppard-437_life_success-in-life-is-to-maintain-this-ecst_1031380.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a5/tom-stoppard-437_life_success-in-life-is-to-maintain-this-ecst_1031380.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a5/tom-stoppard-437_life_success-in-life-is-to-maintain-this-ecst_1031380.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Success in life is to maintain this ecstasy, to burn always with this hard gemlike flame.” — Tom Stoppard", "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": "Tom Stoppard", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Success in life is to maintain...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/success-in-life-is-to-maintain-this-ecstasy-to-burn-always-with-this/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/success-in-life-is-to-maintain-this-ecstasy-to-burn-always-with-this/#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 } } ] } ```