---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of the marks of true greatness is the…"
description: "\"One of the marks of true greatness is the ability to develop greatness in others.\" — J. C. Macaulay"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a11/j-c-macaulay-62382_ability_one-of-the-marks-of-true-greatness-is-th_2088201.jpg"
---

#  One of the marks of true greatness is the ability to…

![“One of the marks of true greatness is the ability to develop greatness in others.” quote by J. C. Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a11/j-c-macaulay-62382_ability_one-of-the-marks-of-true-greatness-is-th_2088201.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a11/j-c-macaulay-62382_ability_one-of-the-marks-of-true-greatness-is-th_2088201.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a11/j-c-macaulay-62382_ability_one-of-the-marks-of-true-greatness-is-th_2088201.jpg)

> “One of the marks of true greatness is the ability to develop greatness in others.”

[J. C. Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-macaulay/)

## 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 includes uplifting others, not just personal achievement.

**In simple terms:** Greatness is sharing greatness.

Key Takeaway

Focus on mentoring and empowering.

Themes

leadership legacy service

Mood

inspirational motivational

Type

philosophical leadership

When to use this quote

- education
- team management
- community building

Key Concepts

mentorship empowerment social impact

Questions to Reflect On

- Who can you help grow today?
- What barriers prevent you from mentoring?

A Different Perspective

Not everyone can be uplifted equally.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [True greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-greatness/)

## Related quotes

> [“Your greatness is not the set of skills you have. A man’s true greatness is his ability to carry himself with a true image…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arka-datta/your-greatness-is-not-the-set-of-skills-you-have-a-man-s-true/)

[Arka Datta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arka-datta/)

> [A prophet's true greatness is his ability to hold God and man in a single thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/a-prophet-s-true-greatness-is-his-ability-to-hold-god-and-man-in-a/)

[Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/)

> [By constant self-discipline and self-control you can develop greatness of character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grenville-kleiser/by-constant-self-discipline-and-self-control-you-can-develop-2/)

[Grenville Kleiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grenville-kleiser/)

> [I need to know everything inside quote marks is true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitchell-zuckoff/i-need-to-know-everything-inside-quote-marks-is-true/)

[Mitchell Zuckoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitchell-zuckoff/)

> [The success and ultimately the survival of every business, large or small, depends in the last analysis on its ability to develop people. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/the-success-and-ultimately-the-survival-of-every-business-large-or/)

[Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

> [“The greatest ability is the ability to develop new abilities in the face of changing conditions!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/the-greatest-ability-is-the-ability-to-develop-new-abilities-in-the/)

[Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/)

> [With the gift of the Holy Ghost comes the ability to develop a powerfully sensitive capacity to make the right choices. Cultivate that gift.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-g-scott/with-the-gift-of-the-holy-ghost-comes-the-ability-to-develop-a/)

[Richard G. Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-g-scott/)

> [Canada has great natural resources, and its people have the spirit and ability to develop them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-e-wilson/canada-has-great-natural-resources-and-its-people-have-the-spirit-and/)

[Charles E. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-e-wilson/)

> [Bringing together the right information with the right people will dramatically improve a company's ability to develop and act on strategic business opportunities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/bringing-together-the-right-information-with-the-right-people-will/)

[Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/)

> [I have no ability to develop muscle tone. I could do situps all day and still look like a condom full of walnuts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-gould/i-have-no-ability-to-develop-muscle-tone-i-could-do-situps-all-day/)

[Dana Gould](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-gould/)

> [You have something special. You have greatness in you. You have the ability to do more than you can ever begin to imagine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-brown/you-have-something-special-you-have-greatness-in-you-you-have-the/)

[Les Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-brown/)

> [There are four things you need for greatness: the ability to sacrifice, the ability to endure pain whether it's physical or mental, the ability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-bettis/there-are-four-things-you-need-for-greatness-the-ability-to-sacrifice/)

[Jerome Bettis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-bettis/)

> [Some great men owe most of their greatness to the ability of detecting in those they destine for their tools the exact quality of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/some-great-men-owe-most-of-their-greatness-to-the-ability-of/)

[Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/)

> [Greatness for me is the ability to focus under pressure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-martial/greatness-for-me-is-the-ability-to-focus-under-pressure/)

[Anthony Martial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-martial/)

> [The essence of greatness is the ability to choose personal fulfillment in circumstances where others choose madness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/the-essence-of-greatness-is-the-ability-to-choose-personal/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

## More by J. C. Macaulay

> [Keep your heart right, even when it is sorely wounded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-macaulay/keep-your-heart-right-even-when-it-is-sorely-wounded/)

[J. C. Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-macaulay/)

> [Repentance may be old-fashioned, but it is not outdated so long as there is sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-macaulay/repentance-may-be-old-fashioned-but-it-is-not-outdated-so-long-as/)

[J. C. Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-macaulay/)

> [It is good to pray for the repair of mistakes, but praying earlier would keep us from making so many. When puzzled, go to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-macaulay/it-is-good-to-pray-for-the-repair-of-mistakes-but-praying-earlier/)

[J. C. Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-macaulay/)

> [Never allow your own sorrow to absorb you, but seek out another to console, and you will find consolation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-macaulay/never-allow-your-own-sorrow-to-absorb-you-but-seek-out-another-to/)

[J. C. Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-macaulay/)

[Explore all 5 J. C. Macaulay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-macaulay/)

## More Ability quotes

> [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/)

[Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/)

> [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/)

[Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/)

> [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/)

[Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/)

> [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/)

[Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/)

> [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/)

[Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/)

> [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/)

[Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/)

> [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/)

[Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/)

> [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/)

[Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/)

> [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/)

[Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/)

> [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/)

[Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/)

> [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/)

[Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/)

> [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/)

[Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/)

> [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/)

[Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/)

[Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "One of the marks of true greatness is the ability to develop greatness in others.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "J. C. Macaulay"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-macaulay/one-of-the-marks-of-true-greatness-is-the-ability-to-develop/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Ability"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-macaulay/one-of-the-marks-of-true-greatness-is-the-ability-to-develop/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a11/j-c-macaulay-62382_ability_one-of-the-marks-of-true-greatness-is-th_2088201.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a11/j-c-macaulay-62382_ability_one-of-the-marks-of-true-greatness-is-th_2088201.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a11/j-c-macaulay-62382_ability_one-of-the-marks-of-true-greatness-is-th_2088201.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“One of the marks of true greatness is the ability to develop greatness in others.” — J. C. Macaulay",
                "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": "J. C. Macaulay",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-macaulay/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "One of the marks of true...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-macaulay/one-of-the-marks-of-true-greatness-is-the-ability-to-develop/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-macaulay/one-of-the-marks-of-true-greatness-is-the-ability-to-develop/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
