All those who are around me are the bridge to my success, so

The champion of the ring, Manny Pacquiao, once declared: “All those who are around me are the bridge to my success, so they are all important.” In this saying, he unveils a truth as old as human history: that no great victory is ever achieved alone. Every triumph is built not only on the strength of the one who fights, but also upon the unseen hands, the faithful companions, the countless supporters who form the bridge across which destiny is crossed. Pacquiao, though a warrior whose fists carried him to glory, reminds us that the true power behind his success lay in the people who lifted him, guided him, and walked beside him.

The ancients would have called this the law of fellowship. For even the mightiest heroes of legend were never solitary. Achilles had Patroclus; Alexander had his generals; even the prophets had their disciples. Each great soul was surrounded by others who bore part of the burden, who lent their counsel, who gave strength in moments of weakness. Pacquiao’s words echo this timeless wisdom: to dismiss those around you is to cut away the very pillars upon which your life rests. To honor them is to recognize that greatness is not born in isolation, but in community.

Consider the life of Abraham Lincoln, who is remembered as one of the greatest leaders in history. Yet his success was not his alone. He chose advisors—some even rivals—who challenged him, sharpened him, and guided him through the storms of civil war. He leaned upon his cabinet, his generals, and his people. Without them, his vision would have remained a dream. With them, it became a reality. Just as Pacquiao saw his trainers, coaches, and even his humble beginnings as part of the bridge to greatness, so Lincoln’s circle was essential to the preservation of a nation.

Pacquiao himself rose from poverty, from the streets of the Philippines, carrying little but courage. Yet he did not rise by his own strength alone. His trainers disciplined him, his team prepared him, his supporters cheered him, his people gave him purpose. Each one formed a plank upon the bridge he crossed from obscurity to global triumph. To forget them would be pride; to honor them is wisdom. Thus he teaches us that the true measure of a man is not only in his victories, but in his gratitude for those who made them possible.

This lesson pierces deeply into our daily lives. Too often we imagine that our achievements are ours alone, forgetting the parents who raised us, the teachers who instructed us, the friends who encouraged us, the strangers whose kindness opened doors. In truth, every success we claim rests upon countless unseen supports. If we are wise, we will not boast of walking the path alone, but will humbly acknowledge the importance of those who stood with us. Gratitude itself becomes a virtue that strengthens the bond between souls.

For us, the practical action is clear: honor the bridge that carries you. Speak words of thanks often, not only to those who stand in the light with you, but to those who labor unseen. Support others as you have been supported, for in giving back, you fortify the bridge for those who will walk it after you. And remember that every person you encounter—friend or stranger—may be part of that greater structure leading you forward.

Thus, let Pacquiao’s words be remembered not merely as the humility of a fighter, but as a teaching for all generations: no success is ours alone. The path of greatness is crossed only by walking the bridge built by others. Cherish them, uplift them, and recognize their worth, for in honoring them, you honor the very foundation of your own destiny.