Success is achieved by developing our strengths, not by

Hear the wisdom of Marilyn vos Savant, who declared with clarity and vision: “Success is achieved by developing our strengths, not by eliminating our weaknesses.” In these words lies a profound truth, a truth too often forgotten by those who strive. Many spend their lives wrestling with flaws, thinking that perfection lies in their erasure. Yet perfection is not the destiny of man, nor is flawlessness the key to greatness. It is by building upon our gifts, by nurturing what burns brightest within us, that we rise to triumph.

The ancients knew this truth well. A warrior did not forsake his sword to master the plow, nor did the poet abandon his voice to become a soldier. Each followed the path where their strength burned strongest. For a river does not carve valleys by resisting its bends; it shapes the earth by flowing in its natural course, persistent and unyielding. So too must we follow the current of our strengths, rather than waste our lives damming every weakness.

History gives us shining examples. Think of Ludwig van Beethoven. He could not defeat his weakness—his growing deafness—but instead he deepened his strength, the fire of composition burning within him. Though he lost his hearing, he did not despair. He poured all his energy into his gift, and thus gave the world symphonies that will echo through eternity. If he had wasted his days lamenting what he lacked, we would never have known the majesty of his Ninth Symphony, nor the triumph of “Ode to Joy.”

Consider also the tale of Albert Einstein. He was no master of rote memorization, and his teachers once called him slow. But he possessed the strength of imagination, the ability to see beyond numbers into the nature of the universe. By cultivating this, he reshaped our understanding of time and space. Had he labored only to repair his weaknesses, history might never have known his genius. It was his devotion to his gift that carved his name into the stars.

The meaning of vos Savant’s words is clear: to dwell endlessly upon weakness is to waste the precious gift of life. Weaknesses may be managed, but they need not be the focus of our labor. A candle does not lament the darkness—it shines where it can. Likewise, when we invest our efforts into what we are called to do best, we multiply the light we bring into the world. True success is not perfection; it is the fullest flowering of our unique abilities.

Therefore, dear seeker, take this lesson to heart: discover your strengths, and give them your devotion. Ask yourself, “What can I do that brings life to others and joy to my spirit?” Then labor tirelessly to sharpen that gift. Let not your energy be consumed in endless correction of flaws, but in the magnification of your strengths, for they are the channels through which you will change the world.

Practical action awaits you: keep a record of your strengths, and nurture them daily with practice, study, and courage. Surround yourself with those who complement your weaknesses, for no one soul is meant to be complete in all things. Build upon your foundation, and let others strengthen what you lack. In this way, you will not only rise, but you will also lift others.

And so, remember the wisdom of Marilyn vos Savant: success is born not from erasing weakness, but from growing strength. Walk boldly upon the path of your gifts, for it is there that your light shines brightest. And when your strengths are cultivated with discipline and love, you will leave behind not only achievements, but a legacy that endures beyond your years.