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Quote of the day by Robert Downey Jr.: 'It's not about how much we lost, it's about how much we have left'
ETimes | February 2, 2026 4:39 AM CST

Robert Downey Jr. marks one of Hollywood’s most successful careers. Witty jokes to life-changing advice gathered from real-life experiences, every word Downey Jr. speaks, carries weight. The messages he shares are earned gradually and carry a deeper philosophy and gentle wisdom. One such quote by Robert Downey Jr. is: “It’s not about how much we lost, it’s about how much we have left.”

Quote of the day by Robert Downey Jr. “It’s not about how much we lost, it’s about how much we have left.”

The context behind the quote Downey Jr. spoke these words through his character of Tony Stark in ‘Avengers: Endgame.’ While these words offer the tone of the movie, the core sentiment here is Stark’s character arc as he finds a reason to fight again, aiming to protect his family and the world. This quote is also featured in the ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Special Look trailer, where it plays over an emotional scene that highlights love and sacrifice.


The message behind these wordsThe quote may sound minimally simple, but its power lies in the perspective. The message here is that; it is inevitable that life takes things from us; such as relationships, opportunities, and even time, and loss is unavoidable. What this quote teaches, however, is that our focus doesn’t have to remain on what’s gone. Instead, it asks us to shift our attention to what remains: what we can still cherish, protect, and build upon.The core idea is that pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.


How the quote mirrors Robert Downey Jr’s lifeIt was before the stardom when Robert Downey Jr. lived a story of highs and lows. In his early days, he was getting recognition as a brilliant actor, but soon the success was affected by personal struggles of addiction, legal issues and ultimately professional setbacks.

Yet despite all the losses (of youth and time), Robert Downey Jr. stood up and found the way through with his determination and will power. For him, it was actually about how much he was left with!


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