Success must never be measured by how much money you have.

Hear the voice of Zig Ziglar, teacher of hope and master of encouragement, who declared: “Success must never be measured by how much money you have.” In this saying, he tears down one of the oldest illusions of humankind—that gold is the measure of greatness, and riches the measure of worth. Ziglar reminds us that success is not to be weighed in coins or counted in possessions, but found in something deeper, more eternal: in the way a person lives, in the joy they hold, in the lives they touch.

The ancients, too, warned of this truth. Did not King Midas, who longed for wealth beyond all measure, discover that his golden touch became a curse? His food, his drink, even his daughter turned to lifeless treasure. So it is with those who measure success only by money—they may hold riches, yet their hearts are barren, their lives empty. True prosperity, the sages taught, lies in wisdom, in virtue, in harmony with self and others. Ziglar stands among these voices when he proclaims that wealth alone is never the true crown of life.

Consider the story of Mother Teresa. By the world’s standards, she was poor, owning nothing, living among the destitute. Yet in her, millions saw greatness. She held no money, but she possessed the treasure of compassion, the wealth of love, the abundance of service. The world called her “blessed,” not because of riches, but because she poured herself out for others. By Ziglar’s measure, she was one of the richest souls who ever lived, for her success was not in what she kept, but in what she gave.

Ziglar’s words also serve as a warning to the modern heart, so often deceived by the glitter of wealth. In our age, men and women chase fortune as though it were the source of life, and in the pursuit, they forget family, lose friendships, neglect health, and wound their own spirit. But when sickness comes, when relationships crumble, when the grave draws near, no pile of coins can purchase peace. Success, if defined only by money, collapses in the hour of truth.

The meaning, then, is not to despise money, but to place it in its rightful place—as a tool, not a master; as a servant, not a god. Wealth can build homes, feed families, and create opportunities, but it cannot grant purpose, joy, or love. Ziglar’s teaching is a call to measure success by the richness of the heart, by the strength of character, by the legacy of kindness and courage left behind. For these treasures endure when gold is gone.

Practical wisdom follows: measure yourself not by your bank account, but by your soul. Ask: Am I living with integrity? Am I lifting others? Am I at peace with myself? These are the true scales of success. If you must pursue wealth, do so with honor, and let it serve a greater purpose than self alone. And each day, practice gratitude for the blessings you already hold—the love of family, the gift of health, the power of choice—for these are riches greater than gold.

So let Zig Ziglar’s words be engraved upon the hearts of all generations: “Success must never be measured by how much money you have.” Let it be a shield against greed, a compass against vanity, a song of freedom against the tyranny of wealth. For in the end, the truly successful are not those who die with the most riches, but those who lived with the most joy, gave the most love, and left behind a light that does not fade.