--- description: Yes, older people are agreed on the most important life lessons they want to pass on. Karl Pillemer of Cornell University interviewed nearly 1500 people... title: Important Life Lessons: What’s The Most Important Life Lesson Older People Feel You Must Know? image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- * [Ideas](/section/ideas/) ## Ideas Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Psychology](/tag/psychology/) ## Psychology Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Important Life Lessons: What’s The Most Important Life Lesson Older People Feel You Must Know? by [Eric Barker](/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Mar 27, 2014 4:01 AM CUT by [Eric Barker](/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Mar 27, 2014 4:01 AM CUT **Yes, older people are agreed on the most important life lessons they want to pass on.** Karl Pillemer of Cornell University interviewed nearly 1500 people age 70 to 100+ for his book “[30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452298482/?tag=spacforrent-20 "undefined").” He asked them what life lessons they’d pass on. What piece of advice were they more adamant about than any other? More adamant about than lessons regarding marriage, children and happiness? **Do not stay in a job you dislike.** Via [30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452298482/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0452298482&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20 "undefined"): --- > “” --- What other important life lessons did they have for your career? Via [30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452298482/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0452298482&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20 "undefined"): --- > “” --- Another point worth making is advice the older folks consistently did not give: Via [30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452298482/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0452298482&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20 "undefined"): --- > “” --- This might be a lot to remember and ask yourself on a daily basis. What’s a quick litmus test to determine if you’re on the path to happiness or regret? Via [30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452298482/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0452298482&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20 "undefined"): --- > “” --- **Join 45K+ readers.** Get a free weekly update via email [here](http://eepurl.com/o6uAD "undefined"). Related posts: [What 10 things should you do every day to improve your life?](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/05/what-10-things-should-you-do-every-day-to-imp/ "undefined") [8 Things The World’s Most Successful People All Have In Common](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/12/successful-people/ "undefined") [How To Make Your Life Better By Sending Five Simple Emails](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/07/make-your-life-better/ "undefined") _This piece originally appeared on_ [_Barking Up the Wrong Tree_](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/ "undefined")_._ ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"OpinionNewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/38799/important-life-lessons-whats-the-most-important-life-lesson-older-people-feel-you-must-know/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/38799/important-life-lessons-whats-the-most-important-life-lesson-older-people-feel-you-must-know/"},"headline":"Important Life Lessons: What’s The Most Important Life Lesson Older People Feel You Must Know?","datePublished":"2014-03-27T04:01:31.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T08:53:53.350Z","description":"Yes, older people are agreed on the most important life lessons they want to pass on. 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