---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Success is more than just power or not…"
description: "\"“Success is more than just power or not violating the rights of others; it is the privilege of contributing to the betterment of others.”\" — John C. Ma..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/051/john-c-maxwell-113_inspirational_success-is-more-than-just-power-or-not-v_2498364.jpg"
---

#  Success is more than just power or not violating the…

![“Success is more than just power or not violating the rights of others; it is the privilege of contributing to the betterment of others.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/051/john-c-maxwell-113_inspirational_success-is-more-than-just-power-or-not-v_2498364.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/051/john-c-maxwell-113_inspirational_success-is-more-than-just-power-or-not-v_2498364.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/051/john-c-maxwell-113_inspirational_success-is-more-than-just-power-or-not-v_2498364.jpg)

> ““Success is more than just power or not violating the rights of others; it is the privilege of contributing to the betterment of others.””

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

## About This Quote

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

Success involves not just power or rights, but the privilege of helping others improve.

**In simple terms:** Success is about helping others.

Key Takeaway

Focus on contributing to others' growth.

Themes

leadership service ethics

Mood

inspirational thoughtful

Type

leadership philosophical

When to use this quote

- team projects
- community service
- mentorship
- corporate social responsibility

Key Concepts

privilege contribution betterment

Questions to Reflect On

- What can you give to others today?
- How does service define your success?

A Different Perspective

Success may require sacrifice and may not guarantee personal fulfillment.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Contributing Betterment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contributing-betterment-1035094/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Motivational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivational/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Privilege](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/privilege/) [Privilege Contributing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/privilege-contributing-1035093/) [Rights Privilege](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights-privilege-1035095/) [Self-Improvement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-improvement-2/) [Success Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success-just/)

## Related quotes

> [Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being's entitlement by virtue of his humanity. The right to life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/human-rights-are-not-a-privilege-conferred-by-government-they-are/)

[Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/)

> [Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being's entitlement by virtue of his humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/human-rights-are-not-a-privilege-conferred-by-government-they-are-2/)

[Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/)

> [Same sex marriage isn't gay privilege, it's equal rights. Privilege would be something like gay people not paying taxes. Like churches don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/same-sex-marriage-isn-t-gay-privilege-it-s-equal-rights-privilege/)

[Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/)

> [Human rights are not a privilege granted by the few, they are a liberty entitled to all, and human rights, by definition, include the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-granger/human-rights-are-not-a-privilege-granted-by-the-few-they-are-a/)

[Kay Granger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-granger/)

> [I will never be satisfied. Life is one constant search for the betterment for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayne-mansfield/i-will-never-be-satisfied-life-is-one-constant-search-for-the/)

[Jayne Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayne-mansfield/)

> [“In making the life of another better, you will have done the same for yourself in ways that are frequently hidden by the sacrifices…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/in-making-the-life-of-another-better-you-will-have-done-the-same-for/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [Unfortunately for the betterment of mankind it is not always the fair-minded who are in the right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-bellow/unfortunately-for-the-betterment-of-mankind-it-is-not-always-the-fair/)

[Saul Bellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-bellow/)

> [“Selfishness at the expense of others is bad. Self-care for the betterment of others is good.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richie-norton/selfishness-at-the-expense-of-others-is-bad-self-care-for-the/)

[Richie Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richie-norton/)

> [One fact stands out in bold relief in the history of man's attempts for betterment. That is that when compulsion is used, only resentment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-gompers/one-fact-stands-out-in-bold-relief-in-the-history-of-man-s-attempts/)

[Samuel Gompers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-gompers/)

> [Self improvement is masturbation...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/self-improvement-is-masturbation/)

[Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/)

> [“is the foundation of every personal growth and self-improvement path!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yamada-takumi/is-the-foundation-of-every-personal-growth-and-self-improvement-path/)

[Yamada Takumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yamada-takumi/)

> [“Speakers, coaches, consultants, thought-leaders, experts, and authors who dedicate their professional lives for the love of humanity and the betterment of society are making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/speakers-coaches-consultants-thought-leaders-experts-and-authors-who/)

[Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/)

> [“Your new realizations do not count as self-improvement or personal growth if you keep trying to deny or erase your previous convictions. It annoys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caspar-vega/your-new-realizations-do-not-count-as-self-improvement-or-personal/)

[Caspar Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caspar-vega/)

> [There is a need to share experiences and encourage a new generation to lead mindfully and spiritedly altogether towards betterment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/there-is-a-need-to-share-experiences-and-encourage-a-new-generation/)

[Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/)

> [Those who genuinely want to change the world for betterment must know that transforming our own lives at the most fundamental level actually holds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/those-who-genuinely-want-to-change-the-world-for-betterment-must-know/)

[Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/)

## More by John C. Maxwell

> [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. If you want to make your father happy, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-your-mother-happy-talk-to-her-if-you-want-to-make/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Experiences isn't the best teacher - evaluated experience is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/experiences-isn-t-the-best-teacher-evaluated-experience-is/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-big-man-is-one-who-makes-us-feel-bigger-when-we-are-with-him/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Passion gives you an advantage over others, because one person with passion is greater than ninety-nine who have only an interest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/passion-gives-you-an-advantage-over-others-because-one-person-with/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

[Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

## More Inspirational quotes

> [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [We talk to God--that is prayer; God talks to us--that is inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-emilie-cady/we-talk-to-god-that-is-prayer-god-talks-to-us-that-is-inspiration/)

[H. Emilie Cady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-emilie-cady/)

> [You cant be controlling in improv.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/you-cant-be-controlling-in-improv/)

[Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/)

> [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Just understand that the good that you want is already here. All you have to do is get in harmony with it. And you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/just-understand-that-the-good-that-you-want-is-already-here-all-you/)

[Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/)

> [“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/if-you-want-to-build-a-ship-don-t-drum-up-the-men-to-gather-wood/)

[Antoine de Saint-Exupéry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/)

> [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/)

[Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/)

> [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/)

[Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/)

> [It's a hard thing to describe. It's just this sense that you got something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lehrer/it-s-a-hard-thing-to-describe-it-s-just-this-sense-that-you-got/)

[Jonah Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lehrer/)

> [Too much familiarity breeds contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/too-much-familiarity-breeds-contempt/)

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

> [We never really perceive what color is physically!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/we-never-really-perceive-what-color-is-physically/)

[Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/)

> [Politics is not an issue whether you like or dislike , but every citizen must involve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khem-veasna/politics-is-not-an-issue-whether-you-like-or-dislike-but-every/)

[Khem Veasna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khem-veasna/)

> [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/)

[Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/)

> [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/)

[Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/)

[Browse all 114,561 Inspirational quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Success is more than just power or not violating the rights of others; it is the privilege of contributing to the betterment of others.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John C. Maxwell"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/success-is-more-than-just-power-or-not-violating-the-rights-of-others/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Inspirational"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/success-is-more-than-just-power-or-not-violating-the-rights-of-others/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/051/john-c-maxwell-113_inspirational_success-is-more-than-just-power-or-not-v_2498364.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/051/john-c-maxwell-113_inspirational_success-is-more-than-just-power-or-not-v_2498364.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/051/john-c-maxwell-113_inspirational_success-is-more-than-just-power-or-not-v_2498364.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Success is more than just power or not violating the rights of others; it is the privilege of contributing…” — John C. Maxwell",
                "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": "John C. Maxwell",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Success is more than just power...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/success-is-more-than-just-power-or-not-violating-the-rights-of-others/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/success-is-more-than-just-power-or-not-violating-the-rights-of-others/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
