That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and

The words of Robert Louis Stevenson, “That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much,” shine like a lantern held high in the darkness of human striving. Many chase wealth, power, or glory, but Stevenson, poet and wanderer, reminds us that success is not found in the treasures of the earth, nor in crowns that tarnish, nor in monuments that crumble. True success lies in the fullness of life itself—in living with integrity, in laughing with joy, in loving with depth. It is not measured by what a man possesses, but by the light he leaves in the hearts of others.

The origin of these words lies in the heart of a man who himself wrestled with frailty and sickness. Stevenson, though plagued by illness throughout his days, still traveled across oceans, still penned tales that stirred the imagination, still poured warmth into friendships and love into his family. He understood more than most that to live well was not to live without hardship, but to live with courage, with kindness, with a spirit that refuses to wither. His words were not lofty ideals alone—they were a testimony carved from his own life.

Consider the story of Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor of Rome. He ruled the mightiest empire of his age, yet in his private writings he did not count riches or triumphs as true measures of worth. Instead, he sought to live well, practicing virtue in the face of chaos. He found wisdom in simplicity, dignity in patience, and strength in justice. Though the weight of empire pressed upon him, he remained true to his soul. And in this, he echoes Stevenson’s truth—that greatness is not the applause of the crowd but the quiet nobility of a life well-lived.

And what of laughter? In every age, the laughter of the heart has been a medicine more precious than gold. Think of Winston Churchill, who in the darkest hours of war still wielded humor as a weapon against despair. His laughter was not frivolity, but defiance. To laugh often is to prove that the spirit is unconquered, that joy can spring even in the shadow of sorrow. Laughter is the music of resilience, the proof that life cannot be broken so long as the soul still sings.

But perhaps the greatest pillar of Stevenson’s vision is love. To love much is to live beyond oneself, to pour strength into others, to bind lives together in tenderness and sacrifice. Mother Teresa, walking the streets of Calcutta, was not adorned with wealth nor crowned with worldly honor, yet she loved without measure. Her life proved that one who loves greatly, even in small acts, achieves a success more enduring than kings or conquerors. For when all else fades, it is love that remains eternal.

The wisdom of Stevenson, then, is clear: success is not the pursuit of what the world applauds, but the cultivation of a soul that is alive, joyful, and compassionate. A man may build empires, yet fail to be truly successful if he has not lived with honesty, if he has not laughed from the belly, if he has not loved with an open heart. Likewise, even the humblest soul, unknown to history, may achieve the highest success by living with grace, laughter, and love.

The lesson for us is this: seek not only the fleeting prizes of ambition, but the deeper wealth that endures. Live well by practicing virtue, by walking with integrity, by tending to body, mind, and spirit. Laugh often by finding joy in small things, by lightening the burdens of others, by resisting the weight of despair. Love much by giving freely of yourself, by forgiving, by standing beside those who stumble, and by cherishing those who walk beside you.

Thus remember: That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much. Let this saying be a compass for your days. Measure your victories not by what you gather in your hands, but by what you plant in the hearts of others. In this way, when the final chapter of your life is written, it shall be said of you: here lies one who lived greatly, who laughed deeply, and who loved without end.