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Quotable Quotes: Steve Jobs

by Miki Saxon

A number of you wrote and requested that today be dedicated to Steve and so it is.

Since this post is in memoriam, it seemed reasonable to choose quotes that touched on death–directly or not. Obviously, death was just another fact to be considered.

First, Jobs words regarding Internet entrepreneurs ought to be tattooed on their frontal lobe or at least be mandatory reading.

“The problem with the Internet startup craze isn’t that too many people are starting companies; it’s that too many people aren’t sticking with it. That’s somewhat understandable, because there are many moments that are filled with despair and agony, when you have to fire people and cancel things and deal with very difficult situations. That’s when you find out who you are and what your values are.

So when these people sell out, even though they get fabulously rich, they’re gypping themselves out of one of the potentially most rewarding experiences of their unfolding lives. Without it, they may never know their values or how to keep their newfound wealth in perspective.”

Most everyone has seen the following text taken from a commencement speech Jobs made at Stanford.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

But what is more rarely shown is the paragraph that preceded it and puts it in true perspective.

“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.”

Over the years, millions of words were written on what makes Steve Jobs run, but the true answer is easily found in his own words.

“.. almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

Finally, these nine words perfectly sum up Steve Jobs driving goal.

“I want to put a ding in the universe.”

And I don’t think there is any question that he succeeded.

Image credit: Wikipedia

3 Responses to “Quotable Quotes: Steve Jobs”
  1. Jesus Carrao Says:

    Whatever his flaws, Steve Jobs was an exceptional man. May he rest in peace

  2. Jackson Says:

    RIP Steve jobs :(

  3. Konner Says:

    I can’t believe it , i loved you steve jobs, you will always in my heart =(

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