“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.”
- February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011
- American
- Entrepreneur, businessman, industrial designer
- He brought to the world revolutionary products that combined technology and design at a high level, such as the personal computer Macintosh, iPhone, and iPad, and also revolutionized the music industry with the iPod, iTunes, and iTunes Store.
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Quote
“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.”
Explanation
In this quote, Steve Jobs reflects on the inevitability and necessity of death in the cycle of life. He acknowledges that, while no one wants to die, death is an essential part of the human experience. Jobs presents death not as something to be feared, but as a catalyst for change. He describes it as “Life’s change agent,” suggesting that death plays a critical role in making space for new ideas, growth, and innovation. Just as old products or technologies must give way to new advancements, death clears out the old to make room for the next phase of life, ensuring continuous progress.
Jobs often spoke about living with the awareness of mortality and how it can inspire people to prioritize what really matters in life. By recognizing that death is inevitable, we are encouraged to live fully, focus on our true passions, and pursue meaningful work—much like he did at Apple. Jobs’ approach to death, particularly in the context of his own battle with cancer, reinforced his belief in embracing life’s challenges and using them as motivational forces to live authentically and create things that last.
In today’s world, this quote serves as a powerful reminder to embrace change and let go of the past in order to create space for new opportunities and innovations. Whether in personal growth, business, or technology, death—as a symbol of transformation—is an essential part of making way for new things to emerge, and it encourages us to live in alignment with what truly matters.
