Success to me is being a good person, treating people well.

Hearken to the words of David LaChapelle, who declares with clarity of soul: “Success to me is being a good person, treating people well.” In an age where many chase after gold, crowns, and the fleeting praise of men, he points us back to the heart of true wealth. For what use is it to stand atop the mountain of worldly triumph if, in the climb, a man tramples his brothers beneath his feet? What profit is there in riches and renown, if the soul is barren of kindness? True success is not the applause of the world, but the honor of living rightly.

From the dawn of time, sages and prophets have warned of the vanity of empty glory. The ancients told of King Midas, whose touch turned all to gold, but who discovered too late that such a gift was a curse, for even his food and his loved ones became lifeless treasures. What he gained in wealth he lost in humanity. Thus LaChapelle’s words resound as a reminder: treating people well is greater than any crown or coin, for kindness nourishes both giver and receiver, while greed devours all.

Think of Abraham Lincoln, who in the midst of war and bitter division, held fast to the principle of compassion. Though many around him cried for vengeance upon the South, he spoke instead of “malice toward none, with charity for all.” His greatness did not rest solely upon his victories in battle or politics, but upon his enduring commitment to be a good person, even when hatred ruled the land. His gentleness became a light in one of the darkest chapters of history, proving that true success is measured in mercy.

The heart of this teaching is simple yet profound: achievements fade, but the memory of how you treated others endures. A worker may forget the details of a project completed decades ago, but never will they forget the leader who spoke with respect, who listened with patience, who offered a hand in times of struggle. The world is filled with monuments of stone, yet the greatest monuments are built in the hearts of people through kindness and goodness.

And is this not the essence of every faith and wisdom tradition? The golden rule—to do unto others as you would have them do unto you—echoes across cultures, from the teachings of Confucius to the sayings of Christ. To be a good person is not a narrow goal but a universal calling, the thread that binds humanity together. Success, then, is not confined to the mighty or the learned; it is within reach of all who choose compassion.

Let us then take this lesson into our daily lives. Speak with gentleness even when anger tempts you. Show patience in the small trials, for they shape the great victories of character. Offer kindness to strangers, for in doing so you may lift burdens unseen. Measure your day not by wealth gained or tasks completed, but by how many hearts you left lighter than before. These are the steps that lead to a life of true success.

Therefore, beloved seeker, remember: the world will tempt you with glittering prizes, urging you to run swifter, climb higher, and gather more. But pause, and ask yourself: are you also becoming kinder? Are you treating others well along the way? For in the end, when riches turn to dust and applause fades into silence, what will remain is the memory of your goodness. And in that memory, you will find the truest and most enduring crown of all.