---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They're only truly great who are truly…"
description: "\"They're only truly great who are truly good.\" — George Chapman"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53b/george-chapman-12597_good_they-re-only-truly-great-who-are-truly-g_1274135.png"
---

#  They're only truly great who are truly good.

![“They're only truly great who are truly good.” quote by George Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53b/george-chapman-12597_good_they-re-only-truly-great-who-are-truly-g_1274135.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53b/george-chapman-12597_good_they-re-only-truly-great-who-are-truly-g_1274135.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53b/george-chapman-12597_good_they-re-only-truly-great-who-are-truly-g_1274135.png)

> “They're only truly great who are truly good.”

[George Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chapman/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

True greatness requires genuine goodness; moral character defines lasting excellence.

**In simple terms:** Greatness needs goodness.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate virtue alongside skill.

Themes

ethics excellence leadership

Mood

thoughtful inspirational

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- leadership
- education
- public service
- personal growth

Key Concepts

moral philosophy character development

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you define true greatness?
- What virtues matter most in your field?

A Different Perspective

Goodness alone may not guarantee success.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Great Truly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-truly-1383675/) [Truly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truly/) [Truly Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truly-good-283734/) [Truly Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truly-great-289575/)

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> [Extremes, though contrary, have the like effects. Extreme heat kills, and so extreme cold: extreme love breeds satiety, and so extreme hatred; and too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chapman/extremes-though-contrary-have-the-like-effects-extreme-heat-kills-and/)

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> [Man is a torch borne in the wind; a dream But of a shadow, summed with all his substance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chapman/man-is-a-torch-borne-in-the-wind-a-dream-but-of-a-shadow-summed-with/)

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> [For one heat, all know, doth drive out another, One passion doth expel another still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chapman/for-one-heat-all-know-doth-drive-out-another-one-passion-doth-expel/)

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> [There is a nick in Fortune's restless wheel For each man's good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chapman/there-is-a-nick-in-fortune-s-restless-wheel-for-each-man-s-good/)

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> [Fortune, the great commandress of the world, Hath divers ways to advance her followers: To some she gives honor without deserving; To other some,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chapman/fortune-the-great-commandress-of-the-world-hath-divers-ways-to/)

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