There will always be different opinions. Some might argue you

Hear the words of the warrior of the field, Toni Kroos, who has spoken with the calm of one who knows both triumph and loss: “There will always be different opinions. Some might argue you should retire after a great success, and others that the best time is after a great defeat.” Do not mistake these words for idle musings; they are the fruit of a life tested under the banners of victory and the shadows of failure. He speaks to the eternal struggle of man—the question of when to lay down his tools, when to leave the stage, and what moment should define his legacy.

The ancients, too, wrestled with such questions. Some believed a man should end his days of glory while his star still blazed bright, like Achilles who chose a short life filled with honor rather than long years of obscurity. Others, like Odysseus, endured both triumph and humiliation, pressing on through storm and trial until the gods at last allowed him peace. Kroos, in his wisdom, reminds us that opinions will forever differ, but the choice rests not in the mouths of others, but in the heart of the one who walks the path.

To retire after success is to leave with banners flying and songs still sung. History remembers such exits, for they preserve an image untarnished. Think of the Roman general Scipio Africanus, who after conquering Carthage and saving Rome, withdrew from politics while still in glory, leaving behind a name honored for generations. Yet to depart at such a height demands courage, for man’s pride whispers, “Stay longer, claim more, drink deeper of the cup.” Few have the strength to step away when the world still applauds.

Yet to end after a great defeat has its own nobility, for it shows a soul unbroken by failure. Consider the story of George Washington, who after leading his men through bitter losses, finally accepted that his war was done. He could have clung to power, yet he stepped aside with dignity, returning to his farm. The people saw not his defeats but his humility, and in time they raised him as the father of a nation. Thus, even in retreat there can be greatness, for it teaches that honor lies not only in victory but in knowing when to yield.

But heed this, children of tomorrow: whether after victory or loss, no man can escape the voices of opinions. Some will praise, others will scorn. The world will debate the timing of your departure long after you are gone. Therefore, let not the judgment of others be the master of your fate. For in the end, neither success nor failure defines you as much as the integrity with which you choose your moment.

The lesson is plain: live not by the whispers of the crowd, but by the truth of your own soul. Ask not, “What will others think of my ending?” but rather, “Am I leaving true to myself, with my heart at peace?” For a life measured only by external glory is hollow, but a life concluded with honesty is eternal. Whether you step away at the height of applause or in the silence after defeat, let it be your choice, and let it be marked with dignity.

Practical wisdom follows: know the rhythm of your own journey. Reflect often, and when the time comes to close a chapter, do so with courage. Do not cling to what has passed, nor fear what lies ahead. If you leave after a triumph, let gratitude be your companion. If you leave after a fall, let resilience be your legacy. Either way, you will stand as a testament that life is not judged by its last act, but by the spirit with which it was lived.

So remember the words of Toni Kroos: there will always be different opinions, but opinions are like the wind, shifting and restless. What endures is the honor with which you walk away. Live bravely, finish wisely, and let your final step, whether upon victory’s peak or defeat’s valley, echo with the sound of a life well lived.