If you have no critics you'll likely have no success.

Hear the burning words of Malcolm X, a voice of thunder and a man of unyielding fire: “If you have no critics you’ll likely have no success.” These words, though sharp, carry within them a truth as old as the struggles of humanity. They remind us that greatness does not walk the path of comfort. Every man or woman who dares to rise, to speak boldly, to act against the tide of silence, will awaken both enemies and admirers. To have critics, then, is not a curse but a crown—for it means you have moved the world enough to stir resistance.

The first wisdom in this saying lies in the connection between criticism and success. Where there is success, there will always be those who envy, resist, or fear it. The very act of standing tall casts a shadow that unsettles those who remain crouched low. To live without critics is to live unnoticed, to remain hidden, to pass through life without stirring hearts or minds. But to live boldly is to provoke judgment, to invite the fire of others’ tongues. The wise know this is not failure, but proof of impact.

Malcolm X himself lived this truth. Rising from the darkness of crime and despair, he became a leader whose words shook the conscience of America. He was hailed by some as a prophet and condemned by others as a threat. Newspapers denounced him, leaders attacked him, and even allies turned against him. Yet through it all, he declared the truth as he saw it, and in that fire he forged a legacy that continues to burn. His critics were many, but his success—in awakening the minds of the oppressed—was undeniable.

History offers many mirrors of this truth. Consider Socrates, the philosopher of Athens. He sought not fame but wisdom, questioning the complacency of his people. For this, he drew critics who branded him dangerous, until they condemned him to drink the hemlock. Yet though they silenced his body, they could not silence his thought. His critics proved his impact, and through their resistance his teachings spread, giving him the immortality of ideas. Success, once again, was measured not by praise but by the storm of opposition.

Think also of Abraham Lincoln. In his time, he was scorned, reviled, caricatured as a fool unworthy of office. His critics were relentless, calling him weak, ignorant, and unfit. Yet through perseverance he preserved the Union and struck chains from millions. The critics, who once sought to bury him, became unwilling witnesses to his greatness. Thus Lincoln’s life testifies that criticism is not the sign of weakness, but the companion of enduring achievement.

The lesson is clear: do not fear your critics. Fear only a life so silent, so timid, that no one cares enough to oppose you. If you stand for truth, for vision, for greatness, you will awaken resistance, for change unsettles the comfortable. Let criticism be to you what fire is to gold: a test that purifies and proves your worth. Embrace it, and let it sharpen you, as the whetstone sharpens the blade.

Practical wisdom follows: when you are criticized, pause not to despair, but to reflect. Ask: Does this criticism reveal weakness I must improve? Or does it reveal fear of the power I already hold? Use what is true, discard what is false, and continue your journey. Take comfort that to be criticized is to matter, to have weight, to leave a mark upon the world.

Thus remember always the words of Malcolm X: “If you have no critics you’ll likely have no success.” Let them be your shield against discouragement and your proof of impact. For the path of greatness is not paved with applause alone, but with the stones cast by critics. Walk upon them with courage, and you will find that their resistance was the very measure of your triumph.