--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A man is great by deeds, not by birth." description: "\"A man is great by deeds, not by birth.\" — Chanakya" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a3/chanakya-1643_birth_a-man-is-great-by-deeds-not-by-birth-160_1608644.jpg" --- # A man is great by deeds, not by birth. ![“A man is great by deeds, not by birth.” quote by Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a3/chanakya-1643_birth_a-man-is-great-by-deeds-not-by-birth-160_1608644.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a3/chanakya-1643_birth_a-man-is-great-by-deeds-not-by-birth-160_1608644.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a3/chanakya-1643_birth_a-man-is-great-by-deeds-not-by-birth-160_1608644.jpg) > “A man is great by deeds, not by birth.” [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Greatness stems from actions, not lineage. **In simple terms:** Deeds define greatness, not birth. Key Takeaway Focus on achievement. Themes leadership merit social status Mood motivational principled Type advice maxim When to use this quote - career advancement - community service - personal development Key Concepts virtue ethics social mobility Questions to Reflect On - How can you prove your worth? - What actions reflect greatness? A Different Perspective Born privilege can still dominate. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Birth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birth/) [Deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeds/) [Deeds Birth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeds-birth-3098992/) [Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great/) [Great deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-deeds/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Man Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-great/) ## Related quotes > [A man is great by his deeds not by his birth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hussein-nishah/a-man-is-great-by-his-deeds-not-by-his-birth/) [Hussein Nishah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hussein-nishah/) > [It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/it-is-part-of-a-good-man-to-do-great-and-noble-deeds-though-he-risk/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/all-great-deeds-and-all-great-thoughts-have-a-ridiculous-beginning/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [Great deeds give choice of many tales. Choose a slight tale, enrich it large, and then let wise men listen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pindar/great-deeds-give-choice-of-many-tales-choose-a-slight-tale-enrich-it/) [Pindar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pindar/) > [That was the miracle of Abraham Lincoln, politician. He pursued the high purpose of moving justice forward via the low arts of patronage and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/that-was-the-miracle-of-abraham-lincoln-politician-he-pursued-the/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) > [In great deeds something abides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-chamberlain/in-great-deeds-something-abides/) [Joseph Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-chamberlain/) > [Small deeds done are better than great deeds plannd..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/small-deeds-done-are-better-than-great-deeds-plannd/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Content is not the pathway to great deeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-wheeler-wilcox/content-is-not-the-pathway-to-great-deeds/) [Ella Wheeler Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-wheeler-wilcox/) > [Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/small-deeds-done-are-better-than-great-deeds-planned/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) > [Love and desire are the spirit's wings to great deeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/love-and-desire-are-the-spirit-s-wings-to-great-deeds/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Big occasions and races which have been eagerly anticipated almost to the point of dread, are where great deeds can be accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-lovelock/big-occasions-and-races-which-have-been-eagerly-anticipated-almost-to/) [Jack Lovelock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-lovelock/) > [Authentic values are those by which a life can be lived, which can form a people that produces great deeds and thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-bloom/authentic-values-are-those-by-which-a-life-can-be-lived-which-can/) [Allan Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-bloom/) > [It is within the power of every man to become great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/it-is-within-the-power-of-every-man-to-become-great/) [Wallace D. 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There is a determined though unseen bravery that defends itself foot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/for-there-are-many-great-deeds-done-in-the-small-struggles-of-life/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) ## More by Chanakya > [A low-minded person should not be given good advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/a-low-minded-person-should-not-be-given-good-advice/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [The ruler should employ person in tasks according to their abilities because Knowers ( or the means ) and efficient employees make impossible tasks also possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/the-ruler-should-employ-person-in-tasks-according-to-their-abilities/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [The serpent, the king, the tiger, the stinging wasp, the small child, the dog owned by other people, and the fool: these seven ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/the-serpent-the-king-the-tiger-the-stinging-wasp-the-small-child-the/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [Prosperity lasts long for one who acts after proper consideration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/prosperity-lasts-long-for-one-who-acts-after-proper-consideration/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [Learning is like a cow of desire. It, like her, yields in all seasons. Like a mother, it feeds you on your journey. Therefore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/learning-is-like-a-cow-of-desire-it-like-her-yields-in-all-seasons/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [Who realises all the happiness he desires? Everything is in the hands of God. Therefore one should learn contentment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/who-realises-all-the-happiness-he-desires-everything-is-in-the-hands/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [Every relationship has one or the other motive behind it. Friendship or enemity are not purposeless.Oneness of motive is turned into friendship. While diversity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/every-relationship-has-one-or-the-other-motive-behind-it-friendship/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [Never share your secrets with anybody. 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