I think true success is intrinsic... It's love. It's kindness.

Hear the words of Tom Shadyac, who declared: “I think true success is intrinsic… It’s love. It’s kindness. It’s community.” In these few yet powerful words lies the unraveling of a great illusion—that success is measured only by wealth, possessions, or applause. Shadyac, a man who tasted worldly achievement in the glittering realm of cinema, turned away from the false crown of material grandeur to proclaim the deeper truth: that true success is not found in what we own, but in what we give; not in what we take, but in how we live among others.

He speaks of intrinsic success—that which arises not from external reward but from the inner harmony of the soul. The treasures of fame and fortune may dazzle, but they are fleeting; they rust, fade, and turn to dust. Yet love, once given, lives forever in the hearts it touches. Kindness, once shown, multiplies across generations. Community, once nurtured, sustains the spirit long after individual accomplishments have been forgotten. In this, Shadyac echoes the wisdom of the ancients: that the measure of a life well-lived lies not in monuments of stone, but in the bonds of compassion woven among people.

Consider the story of Francis of Assisi, who was born into wealth and privilege but forsook it all to live among the poor. His life, judged by worldly standards, was stripped of success—no riches, no castles, no earthly crown. Yet by giving himself to love, by walking in kindness, by building a humble community, he achieved a legacy that endures across centuries. The empires of his age crumbled, but the spirit of Francis lives on in every act of selflessness, in every hand that reaches out to heal. Such is the immortality of intrinsic success.

Shadyac’s words also rise in defiance against the great delusion of modern times: that endless consumption brings fulfillment. He himself walked this path, achieving fame as a filmmaker, only to find that the wealth he amassed brought emptiness rather than joy. It was only when he stripped away excess, when he turned toward simplicity, that he discovered what he calls true success—the warmth of human connection, the joy of giving, the peace that comes when one lives in alignment with love. His journey teaches that sometimes we must lose the world to find our souls.

There is something heroic in this vision: to declare that success is not applause, but love, is to stand against the tide of ambition. To proclaim that it is kindness, not conquest, that defines greatness is to rebuke the pride of nations. To affirm that it is community, not individual triumph, that sustains humanity is to remind us that our destiny is shared. These are not soft virtues—they are mighty forces, able to outlast armies and outshine empires. For history shows us that power passes, but love remains.

The lesson for us is clear: if you seek true success, look not outward but inward. Ask not, “How much have I gained?” but “How much have I given?” Ask not, “How high have I risen?” but “Whom have I lifted with me?” For the legacy of love, kindness, and community is the only wealth that endures. In a world where many chase shadows, Shadyac calls us to pursue substance—to cultivate the garden of the heart, to build bonds of trust, to live not for self alone but for all.

Practical wisdom follows: begin where you are. Practice kindness in small things—smile at a stranger, listen to a friend, serve where there is need. Build community by sharing time, resources, and encouragement with those around you. And above all, live in love—let it shape your words, guide your choices, and temper your ambitions. These are not lofty ideals beyond reach, but daily practices that transform ordinary lives into extraordinary ones.

Thus, we pass down Shadyac’s teaching: that true success is intrinsic. It is not the roar of applause, but the quiet joy of a life lived with purpose. It is not measured by crowns or coin, but by the bonds of love that remain when all else fades. Let those who hear remember: when your days are counted, it will not be your possessions but your compassion that speaks for you. Build then your life upon love, kindness, and community—and you will have found success that no age, no failure, no death can take away.