Steve Jobs wasn’t just a pioneer in tech — he was a philosopher with a mic-drop attitude toward existence itself. Whether talking about creating world-changing products or confronting his own mortality, he had a rare gift: delivering deep truths wrapped in humor, sarcasm, and unapologetic clarity.
This post unpacks 80+ Steve Jobs quotes on life and death — not your typical inspirational fluff, but honest, sharp, and sometimes darkly funny perspectives that make you laugh, then think twice about how you’re spending your time.
On the Meaning of Life
- “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”
- “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
- “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.”
- “We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise, why even be here?”
- “Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.”
- “Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact: everything around you was made up by people no smarter than you.”
- “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”
- “Remembering you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.”
- “Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me.”
- “The journey is the reward.”
On Facing Death with Eyes Open
- “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I’m about to do today?”
- “Death is very likely the single best invention of life. It is life’s change agent.”
- “No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there.”
- “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.”
- “Death clears out the old to make way for the new.”
- “I’ve looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do?”
- “Almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — just falls away in the face of death.”
- “You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
- “Death strips life down to its essentials.”
- “What you do today is what matters most. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.”
On Legacy and Purpose
- “What we’re doing here will send a giant ripple in the universe.”
- “I want to make something wonderful and important, something meaningful.”
- “We don’t get a chance to do that many things, and every one should be really excellent.”
- “Great things in business are never done by one person.”
- “The only thing that matters is how you touch people’s lives.”
- “You’ve got to find what you love. That is as true for your work as it is for your lovers.”
- “When you grow up you tend to get told that the world is the way it is and your job is to just live inside the world… But that’s a very limited life.”
- “I want to leave a mark that can’t be erased.”
- “Live each day as if it were your last — and someday, you’ll be right.”
- “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.”
On Time, Urgency, and Not Wasting Either
- “The most precious resource we all have is time.”
- “Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.”
- “Every minute you waste is one you can’t get back.”
- “I’ve always been attracted to the more revolutionary changes.”
- “Why join the Navy when you can be a pirate?”
- “Every morning I remind myself that I’ll be dead soon. It keeps me from wasting time.”
- “You get one shot. Make it bold.”
- “There’s no point in doing something mediocre with your one life.”
- “Time is a limited edition. Use it like it’s rare — because it is.”
- “Don’t waste time living someone else’s script.”
On Simplicity, Focus, and Letting Go
- “Simple can be harder than complex.”
- “Focusing is about saying no.”
- “Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do.”
- “I’m as proud of many of the things we haven’t done as the things we have done.”
- “Letting go of things frees you to focus on what matters.”
- “The older I get, the more I see how simplicity is everything.”
- “There is great dignity in knowing when to walk away.”
- “I don’t worry about being liked. I worry about being effective.”
- “Cut the clutter. Mentally and materially.”
- “What you say no to defines who you are.”
On Failure, Risk, and What Really Matters
- “Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly.”
- “I didn’t see it then, but getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.”
- “Failure frees you to try again with more wisdom.”
- “You don’t learn anything by succeeding all the time.”
- “I’d rather try and fail than wonder what could’ve been.”
- “Risk is where the magic happens.”
- “You need to be willing to crash and burn. If you’re afraid to fail, you won’t succeed.”
- “You’re remembered for the risks you took, not the ones you avoided.”
- “Being safe is often the most dangerous thing you can do.”
- “If you’re going to live, really live. Otherwise, you’re already dead.”
On Humor and the Absurdity of It All
- “The people who invented the world didn’t have it figured out either.”
- “I mean, let’s be honest — we’re all winging it.”
- “I didn’t know what I was doing half the time. Still don’t.”
- “You want to impress people? Die broke, but smiling.”
- “Life’s too short for bad design and boring meetings.”
- “Sometimes your gut knows before your brain has time to panic.”
- “If I had listened to market research, I’d be selling beige boxes.”
- “You can only polish a product — or a plan — so much before it’s just shiny garbage.”
- “Living well is the best revenge. Especially when you’re told you’re crazy.”
- “I didn’t aim to be liked. I aimed to be right. Sometimes that’s the same thing. Usually, it’s not.”
On Passion, Obsession, and Inner Fire
- “People with passion can change the world for the better.”
- “You’ve got to love it or leave it. There is no in-between.”
- “Obsession isn’t crazy. It’s how things get made.”
- “Without passion, you’re just pushing pixels.”
- “Find what sets you on fire — and do more of that.”
- “Passion is energy with a direction.”
- “When you find what you love, work becomes irrelevant. It’s a mission.”
- “Don’t settle until you’re in love with your day.”
- “Work for meaning, not for applause.”
- “The moment you stop caring about the critics is the moment you start living.”
On Mortality and Motivation
- “Remember that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.”
- “Being aware of your mortality is the best motivation there is.”
- “Death forces clarity. Use it.”
- “Stop acting like you’ll live forever. You won’t. Get moving.”
- “There is power in knowing it all ends.”
- “Live with urgency, but not panic.”
- “Mortality makes your time valuable. Don’t waste it.”
- “One day, this will all be gone. Make it count.”
- “You’re not too young to start. You’re just too scared to stop stalling.”
- “Tomorrow doesn’t exist. What you do today is your legacy.”
Conclusion
Steve Jobs didn’t sugarcoat life — and he certainly didn’t dance around death. These Steve Jobs quotes on life and death are packed with perspective, grit, and just the right amount of sarcasm to remind you that time is short, the excuses are old, and your shot at meaning is happening now.
Whether you laughed, winced, or highlighted a few favorites, these words challenge you to show up — fully, urgently, and unapologetically.
Which quote made you rethink how you live or laugh at how you’ve been avoiding your potential? Drop it in the comments, share it with someone who needs a push, or bookmark this post for those days when you need a smart kick in the mindset. Think different. Live bold. And don’t wait.