--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have become so great as I am because I…" description: "\"I have become so great as I am because I have won men's hearts by gentleness and kindliness.\" — Saladin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd0/saladin-58969_gentleness_i-have-become-so-great-as-i-am-because-i_1705415.jpg" --- # I have become so great as I am because I have won men's… ![“I have become so great as I am because I have won men's hearts by gentleness and kindliness.” quote by Saladin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd0/saladin-58969_gentleness_i-have-become-so-great-as-i-am-because-i_1705415.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd0/saladin-58969_gentleness_i-have-become-so-great-as-i-am-because-i_1705415.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd0/saladin-58969_gentleness_i-have-become-so-great-as-i-am-because-i_1705415.jpg) > “I have become so great as I am because I have won men's hearts by gentleness and kindliness.” [Saladin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saladin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He attributes his greatness to winning people’s affection through gentleness and kindness rather than force. **In simple terms:** Kindness earned him respect and power. Key Takeaway Lead with compassion to inspire loyalty. Themes leadership humility influence Mood respectful inspirational Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - conflict resolution - team management - community building - political negotiation Key Concepts ethical leadership emotional intelligence Questions to Reflect On - Can kindness be effective in all leadership roles? - When might firmness be necessary? A Different Perspective Gentleness may be seen as weakness in aggressive contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gentleness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleness/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Kindliness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindliness/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [You men have none of you any hearts.' 'If we have not hearts, we have eyes; and they give us torment enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/you-men-have-none-of-you-any-hearts-if-we-have-not-hearts-we-have/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“I don't believe that he thinks about His glory except for the sake of truth and men's hearts dying for the lack of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/i-don-t-believe-that-he-thinks-about-his-glory-except-for-the-sake-of/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Injustice boils in men's hearts as does steel in its cauldron, ready to pour forth, white hot, in the fullness of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-jones/injustice-boils-in-men-s-hearts-as-does-steel-in-its-cauldron-ready/) Mother Jones > [It is a certain sign of a wise government and proceeding that it can hold men's hearts by hopes when it cannot by satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-a-certain-sign-of-a-wise-government-and-proceeding-that-it-can/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Ance a man-child has beaten his way to life under the heart of a woman, she is mither to all men, for the hearts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-stratton-porter/ance-a-man-child-has-beaten-his-way-to-life-under-the-heart-of-a/) [Gene Stratton-Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-stratton-porter/) > [I know of no other country where love of money has such a grip on men's hearts or where stronger scorn is expressed for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-know-of-no-other-country-where-love-of-money-has-such-a-grip-on-men/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Men's hearts are being searched...it is a tremendous sifting time, not only of actions but of inner motives. Nothing can escape the all-searching eye…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-bartleman/men-s-hearts-are-being-searched-it-is-a-tremendous-sifting-time-not/) [Frank Bartleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-bartleman/) > [We do not see into men’s hearts. We cannot judge, and are indeed forbidden to judge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/we-do-not-see-into-men-s-hearts-we-cannot-judge-and-are-indeed/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [“...Rise up and play Those liquid notes that steal men's hearts away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/far-d-al-d-n-a-r/rise-up-and-play-those-liquid-notes-that-steal-men-s-hearts-away/) [Farīd al-Dīn ʻAṭṭār](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/far-d-al-d-n-a-r/) > [“The Maker knows the motives of men's hearts.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-maker-knows-the-motives-of-men-s-hearts/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [But the wicked passions of men's hearts alone seem strong enough to leave pictures that persist the good are ever too luke-warm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-the-wicked-passions-of-men-s-hearts-alone-seem-strong-enough-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To lead, you must touch men's hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/to-lead-you-must-touch-men-s-hearts/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Good religious men, with the love of men in their hearts, and the means to pay their toll in their pockets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/good-religious-men-with-the-love-of-men-in-their-hearts-and-the-means/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Men's hearts are cold. They are indifferent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/men-s-hearts-are-cold-they-are-indifferent/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“With the thought of power, men's hearts darken, with the vision of wealth, morals and values crumble, but that all be comes secondary to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-doetsch/with-the-thought-of-power-men-s-hearts-darken-with-the-vision-of/) [Richard Doetsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-doetsch/) ## More by Saladin > [It is not the custom of kings to kill kings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saladin/it-is-not-the-custom-of-kings-to-kill-kings/) [Saladin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saladin/) > [If you want to destroy any nation without war, make adultery or nudity common in the young generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saladin/if-you-want-to-destroy-any-nation-without-war-make-adultery-or-nudity/) [Saladin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saladin/) > [European merchants supply the best weaponry, contributing to their own defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saladin/european-merchants-supply-the-best-weaponry-contributing-to-their-own/) [Saladin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saladin/) > [I warn you against shedding blood, indulging in it and making a habit of it, for blood never sleeps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saladin/i-warn-you-against-shedding-blood-indulging-in-it-and-making-a-habit/) [Saladin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saladin/) [Explore all 5 Saladin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saladin/) ## More Gentleness quotes > [“SILENT LIKE SLEEP You appear by my side, silent like sleep. Soft hair, a little wild. No fear, gentle like a calm river. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-goddard/silent-like-sleep-you-appear-by-my-side-silent-like-sleep-soft-hair-a/) [Donna Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-goddard/) > [Grace is the wonderful spirit that imbues every fiber of our being when we practice the fruits of the spirit: kindness, patience, understanding, forgiveness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cayce/grace-is-the-wonderful-spirit-that-imbues-every-fiber-of-our-being/) [Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cayce/) > [“I’m a man of stone - and my hands are not soft enough to brush away, each stray wisp of hair”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-j-geddes/i-m-a-man-of-stone-and-my-hands-are-not-soft-enough-to-brush-away/) [john j geddes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-j-geddes/) > [“Whatever you do, be gentle. People might have forgiven your harsh words but they may never forget how it stabbed their heart at that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mufti-ismail-menk/whatever-you-do-be-gentle-people-might-have-forgiven-your-harsh-words/) [Mufti Ismail Menk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mufti-ismail-menk/) > [“Each of us is the ultimate expert on the gentleness and understanding we deserve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-sar-aira/each-of-us-is-the-ultimate-expert-on-the-gentleness-and-understanding/) [César Aira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-sar-aira/) > [Every man has his price. This is not true. But for every man there exists a bait which he cannot resist swallowing. To win…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/every-man-has-his-price-this-is-not-true-but-for-every-man-there/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [In the end we are always rewarded for our good will, our patience, fair-mindedness, and gentleness with what is strange.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/in-the-end-we-are-always-rewarded-for-our-good-will-our-patience-fair/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Yet, it had been Dimitri’s gentleness and thoughtfulness mixed with that deadliness that made him so wonderful. The same hands that wielded stakes with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/yet-it-had-been-dimitri-s-gentleness-and-thoughtfulness-mixed-with/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [I started understanding that my strength is my gentleness. A leader isn't a dictator, a leader is a servant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-gaskins/i-started-understanding-that-my-strength-is-my-gentleness-a-leader/) [Tony Gaskins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-gaskins/) > [Daphne," he said with controlled gentleness, "what is wrong?" She sat down opposite him and placed a hand on his cheek. "I'm so insensitive,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/daphne-he-said-with-controlled-gentleness-what-is-wrong-she-sat-down/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [Being empowered includes developing the powerful qualities that lead human beings to cultivate wellness and healing. And those are the same qualities that enhance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-kest/being-empowered-includes-developing-the-powerful-qualities-that-lead/) [Bryan Kest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-kest/) > [“KINGDOM OF THE WOMB From her thighs, she gives you life And how you treat she who gives you life Shows how much you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/kingdom-of-the-womb-from-her-thighs-she-gives-you-life-and-how-you/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [“Never in England were there so many gentlemen and so little gentleness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-sansom/never-in-england-were-there-so-many-gentlemen-and-so-little-gentleness/) [C.J. Sansom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-sansom/) > [Your gentleness shall force More than your force move us to gentleness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/your-gentleness-shall-force-more-than-your-force-move-us-to-gentleness/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“There are gentler and more graceful ways to interface with natural conflict.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/there-are-gentler-and-more-graceful-ways-to-interface-with-natural/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) [Browse all 489 Gentleness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have become so great as I am because I have won men's hearts by gentleness and kindliness.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Saladin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saladin/i-have-become-so-great-as-i-am-because-i-have-won-men-s-hearts-by/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Gentleness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saladin/i-have-become-so-great-as-i-am-because-i-have-won-men-s-hearts-by/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd0/saladin-58969_gentleness_i-have-become-so-great-as-i-am-because-i_1705415.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd0/saladin-58969_gentleness_i-have-become-so-great-as-i-am-because-i_1705415.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd0/saladin-58969_gentleness_i-have-become-so-great-as-i-am-because-i_1705415.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have become so great as I am because I have won men's hearts by gentleness and kindliness.” — Saladin", "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": "Saladin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saladin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I have become so great as...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saladin/i-have-become-so-great-as-i-am-because-i-have-won-men-s-hearts-by/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saladin/i-have-become-so-great-as-i-am-because-i-have-won-men-s-hearts-by/#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 } } ] } ```