The secret of my success is a two word answer: Know people.

Hear the words of Harvey S. Firestone, the tire-maker who transformed an industry, who revealed the root of his triumph in simple form: “The secret of my success is a two word answer: Know people.” At first, these words may seem modest, as though success came not from genius, invention, or fortune, but from the simple art of understanding others. Yet herein lies the wisdom of ages—for to know people is to know the currents of life itself, to read the hidden tides of human nature, and to shape one’s path in harmony with them.

The first truth lies in the power of knowing people. To know people is not merely to recognize their names or faces, but to understand their desires, their fears, their struggles, and their dreams. The merchant who knows his customers sells not only goods, but solutions. The leader who knows his workers inspires not only labor, but loyalty. The friend who knows another’s heart becomes a wellspring of trust. Firestone’s empire was built not only on rubber and steel, but on his ability to see into the hearts of men—his workers, his partners, his customers—and to meet their needs with fairness and foresight.

The second truth is that success is never solitary. No man climbs the mountain of greatness alone. Behind every triumph are countless hands—those who helped, those who bought, those who believed, those who labored in unseen places. To “know people” is to honor this truth, to recognize that others are not obstacles to be overcome, but allies to be understood. Firestone walked with men like Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, and together they created not only companies, but movements that reshaped modern life. His success was born from these connections as much as from his own genius.

History gives us countless examples of this principle. Consider Abraham Lincoln, who rose from humble beginnings to lead a divided nation. His secret was not only his eloquence or wisdom, but his profound ability to know people. He understood the struggles of the common man, the fears of his enemies, the aspirations of his allies. By speaking to their hearts, he guided them through storm and fire to a new dawn. His leadership proves Firestone’s truth: success comes not from standing above people, but from knowing them deeply.

So too with Mahatma Gandhi. He had no armies, no wealth, no throne. Yet he knew his people—their hunger for dignity, their pain under oppression, their longing for freedom. By knowing them, he moved millions without raising a sword. His life shows that true power is not in domination, but in deep understanding. To know people is to awaken their strength, and in their strength lies one’s own success.

The lesson, then, is clear: seek to know people, not merely to use them. Strive to understand their hearts, their needs, their struggles. Success in any field—business, art, leadership, or friendship—flows from this root. For when you know people, you can serve them; when you serve them, you earn their trust; and when you earn their trust, you build a foundation stronger than stone.

Practical wisdom follows: listen more than you speak. Observe more than you judge. Ask questions not to reply, but to understand. When you lead, remember the faces of those who follow. When you work, remember the lives of those who benefit. Build your plans not only upon your own desires, but upon the needs of others. For to know people is to walk in wisdom, and to walk in wisdom is to invite success.

Thus remember Firestone’s words: “The secret of my success is a two word answer: Know people.” Let them be your guide, for in knowing people you will know the secret patterns of life itself. And in honoring those patterns, you will discover that success is not merely wealth or fame, but the bond of trust, service, and understanding that endures beyond the span of a single lifetime.