--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Service is the measure of greatness; it…" description: "\"Service is the measure of greatness; it always has been true; it is true today, and it always will be true, that he is greatest who does the most of go..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/201/william-jennings-bryan-4474_aim_service-is-the-measure-of-greatness-it-a_1664970.jpg" --- # Service is the measure of greatness; it always has been… ![“Service is the measure of greatness; it always has been true; it is true today, and it always will be true, that he is greatest who does the most of good. Nearly all of our controversies and combats grow out of the fact that we are trying to get something from each other--there will be peace when…” quote by William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/201/william-jennings-bryan-4474_aim_service-is-the-measure-of-greatness-it-a_1664970.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/201/william-jennings-bryan-4474_aim_service-is-the-measure-of-greatness-it-a_1664970.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/201/william-jennings-bryan-4474_aim_service-is-the-measure-of-greatness-it-a_1664970.jpg) > “Service is the measure of greatness; it always has been true; it is true today, and it always will be true, that he is greatest who does the most of good. Nearly all of our controversies and combats grow out of the fact that we are trying to get something from each other--there will be peace when our aim is to do something for each other. The human measure of a human life is its income; the divine measure of a life is its outgo, its overflow--its contribution to the welfare of all.” [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Greatness is measured by how much good one does for others, not by personal gain. **In simple terms:** Good deeds define greatness. Key Takeaway Focus on serving others. Themes service greatness altruism human value divine measure Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - community work - volunteering - charitable projects - leadership - conflict resolution Key Concepts ethics philanthropy social responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How can you increase your contribution to others? - What obstacles stop you from serving? A Different Perspective It can be hard to prioritize others over self‑interest. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aim/) [Being true](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-true/) [Combat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combat/) [Contribution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contribution/) [Controversy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/controversy/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divine/) [Divine Measure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divine-measure-334357/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Grows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grows/) [Human life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-life/) [Human Measure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-measure-797759/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Income](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/income/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-is/) [Measure Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/measure-greatness-797758/) [Measure Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/measure-life/) [Overflow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overflow/) [Service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/service/) [Service Measure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/service-measure-797757/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Welfare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/welfare/) ## Related quotes > [The human measure of a human life is its income; the divine measure of a life is its outgo, its overflow its contribution to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/the-human-measure-of-a-human-life-is-its-income-the-divine-measure-of/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [Man is not man simply because of bodily attributes. The standard of divine measure and judgment is his intelligence and spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdu-l-bah/man-is-not-man-simply-because-of-bodily-attributes-the-standard-of/) [Abdu'l-Bahá](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdu-l-bah/) > [I appreciate a slight yield, lightness of weight, some motion if possible, because in moving about, the human body determines... the comfort and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-bertoia/i-appreciate-a-slight-yield-lightness-of-weight-some-motion-if/) [Harry Bertoia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-bertoia/) > [I'm always looking for something that tells me a little bit about what it means to be human. That's how I measure the success…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-donovan/i-m-always-looking-for-something-that-tells-me-a-little-bit-about/) [Martin Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-donovan/) > [“Let us measure the worth of our prayers by human measure or by the quality of our relation to other men. How do we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-john-of-kronstadt/let-us-measure-the-worth-of-our-prayers-by-human-measure-or-by-the/) [St. John of Kronstadt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-john-of-kronstadt/) > [A man comes to measure his greatness by the regrets, envies and hatreds of his competitors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-comes-to-measure-his-greatness-by-the-regrets-envies-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The thing which makes one man greater than another, the quality by which we ought to measure greatness, is a man's capacity for loving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-helps/the-thing-which-makes-one-man-greater-than-another-the-quality-by/) [Arthur Helps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-helps/) > [Adversity is another way to measure the greatness of individuals. I never had a crisis that didn't make me stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/adversity-is-another-way-to-measure-the-greatness-of-individuals-i/) [Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/) > [We must not measure greatness from the mansion down, but from the manger up. Jesus said that we should not be judged by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/we-must-not-measure-greatness-from-the-mansion-down-but-from-the/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [It's only when you grow up, and step back from him, or leave him for your own career and your own home-it's only then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-truman/it-s-only-when-you-grow-up-and-step-back-from-him-or-leave-him-for/) [Margaret Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-truman/) > [The measure of greatness in a scientific idea is the extent to which it stimulates thought and opens up new lines of research.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dirac/the-measure-of-greatness-in-a-scientific-idea-is-the-extent-to-which/) [Paul Dirac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dirac/) > [Some measure greatness by trophies and awards, but greatness will never come unless you pick yourself up off the floor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-tackett/some-measure-greatness-by-trophies-and-awards-but-greatness-will/) [Ryan Tackett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-tackett/) > [We must not measure greatness from the mansion down, but from the manger up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/we-must-not-measure-greatness-from-the-mansion-down-but-from-the-2/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, those who have nothing apart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/the-measure-of-the-greatness-of-a-society-is-found-in-the-way-it/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [A people may become great through many means, but there is only one measure by which its greatness is recognized and acknowledged. The final…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-weldon-johnson/a-people-may-become-great-through-many-means-but-there-is-only-one/) [James Weldon Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-weldon-johnson/) ## More by William Jennings Bryan > [No greater victory can be won by citizens or soldiers than to transform temporary foes into permanent friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/no-greater-victory-can-be-won-by-citizens-or-soldiers-than-to/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [On Thanksgiving Day we acknowledge our dependence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/on-thanksgiving-day-we-acknowledge-our-dependence/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [Agnosticism is the natural attitude of the evolutionist. How can a brute mind comprehend spiritual things?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/agnosticism-is-the-natural-attitude-of-the-evolutionist-how-can-a/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [“The only part of evolution in which any considerable interest is felt is evolution applied to man. A hypothesis in regard to the rocks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/the-only-part-of-evolution-in-which-any-considerable-interest-is-felt/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [Greed is at the bottom of most of the wrong-doing with which government has to deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/greed-is-at-the-bottom-of-most-of-the-wrong-doing-with-which/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [If you want criticisms, read the dissenting opinions of the Court. That will give you criticisms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/if-you-want-criticisms-read-the-dissenting-opinions-of-the-court-that/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [Behold a republic standing erect while empires all around are bowed beneath the weight of their own armaments - a republic whose flag is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/behold-a-republic-standing-erect-while-empires-all-around-are-bowed/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [Whenever one refuses to admit such a self-evident truth, for instance, as that it is wrong to steal, don't argue with him-search him; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/whenever-one-refuses-to-admit-such-a-self-evident-truth-for-instance/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [New York is the city of privilege. Here is the seat of the Invisible Power represented by the allied forces of finance and industry.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/new-york-is-the-city-of-privilege-here-is-the-seat-of-the-invisible/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [If we have to give up either religion or education, we should give up education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/if-we-have-to-give-up-either-religion-or-education-we-should-give-up/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [The great political questions are in their final analysis great moral questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/the-great-political-questions-are-in-their-final-analysis-great-moral/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [If it be true, as I believe it is, that morality is dependent upon religion, then religion is not only the most practical thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/if-it-be-true-as-i-believe-it-is-that-morality-is-dependent-upon/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [“We will answer their demand for a gold standard by saying to them: "You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/we-will-answer-their-demand-for-a-gold-standard-by-saying-to-them-you/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [Most of the temptations that come to us to sell the soul come in connection with the getting of money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/most-of-the-temptations-that-come-to-us-to-sell-the-soul-come-in/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [Atheists have just as much civil right to teach atheism as Christians have to teach Christianity; agnostics have just as much right to teach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/atheists-have-just-as-much-civil-right-to-teach-atheism-as-christians/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) [Explore all 110 William Jennings Bryan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) ## More Aim quotes > [If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-aim-at-nothing-you-will-hit-it-every-time/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The Christian man must aim at that complete obedience to God in which life finds its highest happiness, its greatest good, its perfect consummation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barclay/the-christian-man-must-aim-at-that-complete-obedience-to-god-in-which/) [William Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barclay/) > [ He \[an earnest young reporter\] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [In Bosnia, little children shot in the head by a guy who thinks it's okay to aim his gun at a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-amanpour/in-bosnia-little-children-shot-in-the-head-by-a-guy-who-thinks-it-s/) [Christiane Amanpour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-amanpour/) > [Design certainly has a cosmetic, aesthetic aim. 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With Power and Beauty there were loads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-henstridge/my-main-aim-has-always-been-to-do-good-quality-films-with-roles-that/) [Natasha Henstridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-henstridge/) > [ I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback \[in "The Invisible Woman"\]. Ralph \[Fiennes\] was very open to my input,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-watching-rushes-and-playback-in/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [My aim is to be counted among the top players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babar-azam/my-aim-is-to-be-counted-among-the-top-players/) [Babar Azam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babar-azam/) > [The single aim of my life is that every child is: free to be a child, free to grow and develop, free to eat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-satyarthi/the-single-aim-of-my-life-is-that-every-child-is-free-to-be-a-child/) [Kailash Satyarthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailash-satyarthi/) > [The aim of good prose words is to mean what they say. The aim of good poetical words is to mean what they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-aim-of-good-prose-words-is-to-mean-what-they-say-the-aim-of-good/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Prescribing hard work for the soft, or easy work for the hardy, is generally nonsense. What is always needed in any aim is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/prescribing-hard-work-for-the-soft-or-easy-work-for-the-hardy-is/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/to-be-normal-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-the-unsuccessful/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 3,047 Aim quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aim/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Service is the measure of greatness; it always has been true; it is true today, and it always will be true, that he is greatest who does the most of good. 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