From success you get a lot of things, but not that great inside

Hear the solemn words of Samuel Goldwyn, master of cinema and architect of dreams, who declared: “From success you get a lot of things, but not that great inside thing that love brings you.” This is not the voice of a man unfamiliar with wealth, fame, or power, but the voice of one who had tasted them all, and yet knew they were not enough. His words strike like a bell across the ages, reminding us that triumph in the world is not the same as fulfillment of the heart. For success may clothe you in riches, but only love can fill the emptiness within.

The first truth in this saying lies in the nature of success. Success brings many rewards: the applause of crowds, the weight of gold, the respect of peers. These are the fruits the world praises. Yet though they shine brightly, they are outward things—external trophies that cannot touch the deepest chambers of the soul. A man may win the world’s honors and still sit alone in silence, hungering for something he cannot name. Success fills the hands, but it does not always fill the heart.

And then Goldwyn speaks of the other power: love. Love is the “great inside thing”—the invisible treasure, the secret fire that lights the soul from within. It is not bought with gold nor measured in trophies. It is found in the bond between hearts, in the devotion of family, in the embrace of friendship, in the sacrifice one makes for another. Love gives life its flavor, its warmth, its meaning. Without it, even the banquet of success tastes like dust.

History itself bears witness to this truth. Consider the tale of Alexander the Great. He conquered nations, stood at the edge of the known world, and claimed a glory few could imagine. Yet in his final days, surrounded by wealth and power, he is said to have longed not for another kingdom, but for the company of his companions, for the love of those who had marched beside him. His victories filled the annals of history, but it was the bonds of the heart that gave him comfort as life waned.

So too with Abraham Lincoln. He rose from poverty to the highest office of the land, guiding his nation through its greatest trial. Yet in his private letters, he often wrote of his longing for affection, for the comfort of his family, for the tenderness of human connection. His success in politics was monumental, but he never confused it with the deep sustenance that love alone provides.

The lesson for us is clear: do not chase success as though it were the final crown. Seek it, yes, for accomplishment has its place, but do not let it blind you to the greater treasure. The applause of the world fades quickly, but the love of those close to you endures. True greatness is not only in what you achieve, but in how deeply you give and receive love along the way.

Practical wisdom follows: when you strive for your goals, guard space in your life for those you love. Share meals, speak honestly, listen deeply. Do not let ambition steal the time that love requires. Celebrate your victories, but remember to look into the eyes of those who walk beside you, for there lies the “great inside thing” Goldwyn spoke of. Success may enrich your life, but love gives it meaning.

Thus, remember the words of Samuel Goldwyn: “From success you get a lot of things, but not that great inside thing that love brings you.” Take them as a compass, guiding you not only to strive outwardly but to cherish inwardly. For in the end, it is not the trophies of success that sustain the soul, but the embrace of love—the one treasure that outshines them all.