---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Success is not an entitlement. It has to…"
description: "\"Success is not an entitlement. It has to be earned\" — Howard Schultz"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7e/howard-schultz-1317_earned_success-is-not-an-entitlement-it-has-to_1029298.png"
---

#  Success is not an entitlement. It has to be earned

![“Success is not an entitlement. It has to be earned” quote by Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7e/howard-schultz-1317_earned_success-is-not-an-entitlement-it-has-to_1029298.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7e/howard-schultz-1317_earned_success-is-not-an-entitlement-it-has-to_1029298.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7e/howard-schultz-1317_earned_success-is-not-an-entitlement-it-has-to_1029298.png)

> “Success is not an entitlement. It has to be earned”

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

## About This Quote

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

Success must be earned through effort and merit, not assumed as a right.

**In simple terms:** Earn success, don’t expect it.

Key Takeaway

Work hard and prove your worth.

Themes

success merit effort leadership

Mood

determined optimistic

Type

motivational practical

When to use this quote

- career advancement
- entrepreneurial ventures
- team projects

Key Concepts

earned achievement work ethic

Questions to Reflect On

- What steps are you taking to earn success?
- How do you handle setbacks when effort feels unrewarded?

A Different Perspective

External factors can affect outcomes despite effort.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Entitlement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entitlement/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/)

## Related quotes

> [Good results is not an entitlement. It has to be earned and earned each individual working day via the lens of humility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/good-results-is-not-an-entitlement-it-has-to-be-earned-and-earned/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Success is something that has to be earned every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/success-is-something-that-has-to-be-earned-every-day/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Success in the United States is not an entitlement in China. You have to go there and earn it, and earn it the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/success-in-the-united-states-is-not-an-entitlement-in-china-you-have/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [The future of America is not an entitlement. We have been given a treasure chest of gifts and opportunities, but some people are being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/the-future-of-america-is-not-an-entitlement-we-have-been-given-a/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Any time someone achieves success before they've earned it, it always comes back to haunt them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/any-time-someone-achieves-success-before-they-ve-earned-it-it-always/)

[Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/)

> [I began with small roles in successful movies like 'No Country For Old Men' by the Coen brothers; but it was 'The Last Exorcism'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caleb-landry-jones/i-began-with-small-roles-in-successful-movies-like-no-country-for-old/)

[Caleb Landry Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caleb-landry-jones/)

> [“President Trump has earned the title of ‘The Lying President’.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/president-trump-has-earned-the-title-of-the-lying-president/)

[Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/)

> [It took me nine years to get my first release. I have worked for it. I have earned it. I couldn't have asked for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shweta-tripathi/it-took-me-nine-years-to-get-my-first-release-i-have-worked-for-it-i/)

[Shweta Tripathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shweta-tripathi/)

> [“As far as I could tell, he earned his hundred thousand a year by wandering the hallway with a Styrofoam cup of coffee, smiling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perrotta/as-far-as-i-could-tell-he-earned-his-hundred-thousand-a-year-by/)

[Tom Perrotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perrotta/)

> [We often learn the hard way that our world is ruled by external factors. We don't always get what is rightfully ours, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/we-often-learn-the-hard-way-that-our-world-is-ruled-by-external/)

[Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/)

> [I could have earned lots of crores by doing hundreds of more 'Rangeela' that came my way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/urmila-matondkar/i-could-have-earned-lots-of-crores-by-doing-hundreds-of-more-rangeela/)

[Urmila Matondkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/urmila-matondkar/)

> [I moved to New York aged 16, and worked part-time in a Korean store in South Bronx selling groceries, bread and confectionery. I earned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-sr/i-moved-to-new-york-aged-16-and-worked-part-time-in-a-korean-store-in/)

[Chris Eubank Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-sr/)

> [I have earned every cent. And in all of my years of public life I have never obstructed justice,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-have-earned-every-cent-and-in-all-of-my-years-of-public-life-i-have/)

[Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/)

> [At Inter, I earned my wages based on the results on the field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-mancini/at-inter-i-earned-my-wages-based-on-the-results-on-the-field/)

[Roberto Mancini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-mancini/)

> [We earned any fans with the way we play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-white/we-earned-any-fans-with-the-way-we-play/)

[Jimmy White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-white/)

## More by Howard Schultz

> [For Starbucks, there will be no shortage of the highest-quality arabica beans. I suspect that for some others there could potentially be a problem,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/for-starbucks-there-will-be-no-shortage-of-the-highest-quality/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [If it Captures Your Imagination, it will captivate others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/if-it-captures-your-imagination-it-will-captivate-others/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [If you look at coffee, tea, food and juice, we think there are inherent opportunities. If you look at health bars or grab-and-go products…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/if-you-look-at-coffee-tea-food-and-juice-we-think-there-are-inherent/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [The success of the Starbucks has been based on this balance between profitability and a social conscience. Everywhere we're doing business, were trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/the-success-of-the-starbucks-has-been-based-on-this-balance-between/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Companies should not have a singular view of profitability. There needs to be a balance between commerce and social responsibility... The companies that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/companies-should-not-have-a-singular-view-of-profitability-there/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Success is best when its shared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/success-is-best-when-its-shared/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [While their service is ending, our responsibility is just beginning!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/while-their-service-is-ending-our-responsibility-is-just-beginning/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [“Living in the same city as Microsoft, I’m only too aware that, even in low-technology businesses like coffee, the Next Big Thing could knock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/living-in-the-same-city-as-microsoft-i-m-only-too-aware-that-even-in/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [We have a big opportunity in China. We think the number of stores here can rival the number in North America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/we-have-a-big-opportunity-in-china-we-think-the-number-of-stores-here/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Starbucks is not an advertiser; people think we are a great marketing company, but in fact we spend very little money on marketing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/starbucks-is-not-an-advertiser-people-think-we-are-a-great-marketing/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [We woke up one day, and all the sudden Starbucks was in the middle of this political crossfire between the people who want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/we-woke-up-one-day-and-all-the-sudden-starbucks-was-in-the-middle-of/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [I'm in a different position than most CEO's. I'm a founder. I'm not a hired CEO. Now, I can be fired by the board,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/i-m-in-a-different-position-than-most-ceo-s-i-m-a-founder-i-m-not-a/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Profitability is a shallow goal if it doesn't have a real purpose, and the purpose has to be share the profits with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/profitability-is-a-shallow-goal-if-it-doesn-t-have-a-real-purpose-and/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [And with the right mentor, don't be afraid to expose your vulnerabilities. Admit you don't know what you don't know. When you acknowledge your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/and-with-the-right-mentor-don-t-be-afraid-to-expose-your/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [People in Washington need to put their feet in the shoes of working Americans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/people-in-washington-need-to-put-their-feet-in-the-shoes-of-working/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

[Explore all 252 Howard Schultz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

## More Earned quotes

> [We earned any fans with the way we play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-white/we-earned-any-fans-with-the-way-we-play/)

[Jimmy White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-white/)

> [Any time someone achieves success before they've earned it, it always comes back to haunt them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/any-time-someone-achieves-success-before-they-ve-earned-it-it-always/)

[Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/)

> [I began with small roles in successful movies like 'No Country For Old Men' by the Coen brothers; but it was 'The Last Exorcism'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caleb-landry-jones/i-began-with-small-roles-in-successful-movies-like-no-country-for-old/)

[Caleb Landry Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caleb-landry-jones/)

> [At Inter, I earned my wages based on the results on the field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-mancini/at-inter-i-earned-my-wages-based-on-the-results-on-the-field/)

[Roberto Mancini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-mancini/)

> [I have earned every cent. And in all of my years of public life I have never obstructed justice,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-have-earned-every-cent-and-in-all-of-my-years-of-public-life-i-have/)

[Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/)

> [I moved to New York aged 16, and worked part-time in a Korean store in South Bronx selling groceries, bread and confectionery. I earned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-sr/i-moved-to-new-york-aged-16-and-worked-part-time-in-a-korean-store-in/)

[Chris Eubank Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-sr/)

> [I could have earned lots of crores by doing hundreds of more 'Rangeela' that came my way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/urmila-matondkar/i-could-have-earned-lots-of-crores-by-doing-hundreds-of-more-rangeela/)

[Urmila Matondkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/urmila-matondkar/)

> [We often learn the hard way that our world is ruled by external factors. We don't always get what is rightfully ours, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/we-often-learn-the-hard-way-that-our-world-is-ruled-by-external/)

[Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/)

> [“As far as I could tell, he earned his hundred thousand a year by wandering the hallway with a Styrofoam cup of coffee, smiling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perrotta/as-far-as-i-could-tell-he-earned-his-hundred-thousand-a-year-by/)

[Tom Perrotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perrotta/)

> [It took me nine years to get my first release. I have worked for it. I have earned it. I couldn't have asked for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shweta-tripathi/it-took-me-nine-years-to-get-my-first-release-i-have-worked-for-it-i/)

[Shweta Tripathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shweta-tripathi/)

> [“President Trump has earned the title of ‘The Lying President’.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/president-trump-has-earned-the-title-of-the-lying-president/)

[Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/)

> [Trust is earned, Never bought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-wagner/trust-is-earned-never-bought/)

[Jacob Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-wagner/)

> [There is a legitimate concern about wealth distribution in the United States, but the answer is not to scapegoat any individual who makes over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-black/there-is-a-legitimate-concern-about-wealth-distribution-in-the-united/)

[Conrad Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-black/)

> [Women have shown their skills and that's why they have been accepted in the industry. It's through their skill that they have managed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shoojit-sircar/women-have-shown-their-skills-and-that-s-why-they-have-been-accepted/)

[Shoojit Sircar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shoojit-sircar/)

> [“They can take me as they find me,' says Ron. 'I've earned this face, it tells a story.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-osman/they-can-take-me-as-they-find-me-says-ron-i-ve-earned-this-face-it/)

[Richard Osman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-osman/)

Browse all 350 Earned quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Success is not an entitlement. It has to be earned",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Howard Schultz"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/success-is-not-an-entitlement-it-has-to-be-earned/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Earned"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/success-is-not-an-entitlement-it-has-to-be-earned/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7e/howard-schultz-1317_earned_success-is-not-an-entitlement-it-has-to_1029298.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7e/howard-schultz-1317_earned_success-is-not-an-entitlement-it-has-to_1029298.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b7e/howard-schultz-1317_earned_success-is-not-an-entitlement-it-has-to_1029298.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Success is not an entitlement. It has to be earned” — Howard Schultz",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Howard Schultz",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Success is not an entitlement. It...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/success-is-not-an-entitlement-it-has-to-be-earned/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/success-is-not-an-entitlement-it-has-to-be-earned/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
