Whoever renders service to many puts himself in line for

In the voice of enduring wisdom, Jim Rohn once declared: “Whoever renders service to many puts himself in line for greatness — great wealth, great return, great satisfaction, great reputation, and great joy.” Though born from the modern age, these words resound with the ancient rhythm of truth, echoing the same spirit that guided sages, warriors, and builders across centuries. For what Rohn speaks of is not mere success as the world defines it, but the law of service, the eternal principle that the one who uplifts others is, by that very act, uplifted himself.

In the wisdom of the ancients, it was taught that the greatest of all powers is the power to serve. Kings who ruled wisely understood this. Leaders who guided with compassion embodied it. The teacher, the healer, the craftsman—all who dedicated their gifts to the good of many were honored not only for their skill, but for their spirit. For to “render service to many” is to place one’s life in harmony with the natural order of the world, where the river gives to the valley and the sun gives to all. The selfish may gather gold, but the servant gathers greatness—a greatness that endures long after wealth has turned to dust.

When Rohn speaks of “great wealth, great return, great satisfaction, great reputation, and great joy,” he does not separate them—they are the five fruits of one tree: service. Wealth is the natural reward of creating value for others; reputation, the echo of one’s deeds in the hearts of men; satisfaction, the inner peace that comes from purpose; joy, the divine music that plays when one lives in alignment with love. The ancient masters knew that no treasure is greater than the harmony of these five blessings united.

Let us look, then, to history’s scrolls for proof. Consider Florence Nightingale, who left the comforts of privilege to serve the wounded in war. She rendered service not to one, but to thousands. Her greatness was not born from ambition, but from compassion—and yet, her name became immortal. Or think of Andrew Carnegie, who began as a poor boy in a factory but learned that wealth, once gained, must be turned toward the benefit of others. He built libraries, schools, and institutions of learning across nations, understanding that service multiplies value far beyond the individual self. Both Nightingale and Carnegie show the truth of Rohn’s words: to serve many is to stand at the gateway of greatness.

The ancients would have likened this truth to the law of the harvest: You reap what you sow, and the greater your field, the greater your yield. If one sows kindness into the lives of a few, one reaps gratitude. If one sows wisdom into the lives of thousands, one reaps immortality. Service is thus not a burden, but a form of creation—a sacred act by which one becomes a co-worker with destiny. The more you give, the more you grow; the more you serve, the more you shine.

But let it be remembered: service must be rendered with sincerity, not as a mask for greed or vanity. The one who serves only for gain has already lost his joy. The one who serves from love, however, finds reward in every gesture. Even if no applause follows him, his heart knows peace. In this way, greatness is not measured by public acclaim, but by the depth of one’s contribution. The truest servant does not ask, “What will I get?” but “What can I give?”—and by this question alone, he steps into the realm of the truly great.

Therefore, let this be the teaching drawn from Jim Rohn’s words: If you wish to rise, first lift others. Seek not to be important, but to be useful. Let your work be your gift to the world, your talent a light that others may see by. In every field—whether art, business, teaching, or craft—aim to serve many, for in their growth lies your legacy. The one who lives for himself may achieve comfort, but the one who lives for others achieves immortality.

And so, as the ancients would conclude: greatness is not seized; it is earned through service. Wealth fades, reputation shifts, power dissolves—but the heart that has served many remains eternal. Therefore, render your service freely, joyfully, and abundantly. For when you give your life to the good of others, you stand among the few whose names time cannot erase—the builders, the healers, the givers, the great.