proverb · Words worth keeping
He liveth long that liveth well.
He liveth long that liveth well.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
A life can be valued for how it is lived as well as for its duration. Living well gives the idea of a long life an ethical or qualitative meaning.
What the words are saying
The sentence brings long and well together, inviting a reading in which a life’s richness matters more than its count of years. A person who acts meaningfully or treats others with care may be said to have made good use of their time. It can encourage attention to what fills a day rather than only to how many days there might be. It should not become a health claim that virtuous people necessarily live longer, or a judgment that someone who dies young failed to live properly.
Everyday example
A remembrance values the kindness and useful work in someone’s life rather than measuring its worth only by age.
When to use it
Use it to reflect on the quality and purpose of a life.
Put a useful idea into practice: try the free seven-day guide ↗
What it does not mean
Ethical conduct does not guarantee longevity, and early death does not indicate a badly lived life.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 985 · Liveth
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- English