Achieve Growth Before Helping Others

Buddha described four types of people:

1. Those who neither do good for themselves nor for others.

2. Those who do good for themselves but not for others.

3. Those who do good for others but not for themselves.

4. Those who do good for both themselves and others—the fourth being the best.

I agree with Buddha’s perspective and have often heard, since childhood, the idea that living for others and doing good for others is the ultimate virtue. Swami Vivekananda even wrote, “Service to man is service to God.” While these teachings are noble, they often overlook a fundamental truth: until a person achieves something themselves, how can they give to others what they do not possess?

This truth is evident in the life of Buddha. Only after attaining enlightenment did he guide others toward the light. The same principle applies to all great figures like Mahavira, Lao Tzu, and Confucius. They first sought their own growth and knowledge before dedicating themselves to the betterment of others. A lamp must first light itself before it can illuminate others.

“Be selfish to become selfless.”

Consider the life of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. He first focused on his own education and personal growth. Only after becoming highly educated and accomplished did he give the Dalit community the mantra of “Educate, Organize, and Struggle.” In my view, every great person begins by being selfish—and rightly so. Once they achieve their goals and attain knowledge, they are then capable of sharing it with the world.

Every person should be ruthlessly focused on their own growth and success until they achieve their goals. This form of selfishness is not negative; it is a positive, constructive selfishness that allows one to build the foundation needed to help others. For instance, how can someone who is poor help alleviate poverty? How can someone who is uneducated teach others? How can someone weak fight for justice?

“Helpless cannot help.”

Swami Vivekananda said, “Weakness is the greatest sin in the world.” A person who cannot provide for their own basic needs cannot uplift others. If you cannot feed yourself, how will you feed the hungry? If you cannot afford your own treatment, how will you build hospitals for others? If you lack strength, how will you protect others?

The first duty of every person is to help themselves—to overcome their weaknesses, to become strong, and to succeed. If you truly care about the world, then understand this: your compassion and goodness are of no use if you are weak, poor, or dependent on others.

“Only the strong can uplift the weak.”

If you want to do good in this world, aim to become rich, educated, and powerful. First, redeem yourself. Rise above your limitations. Build a foundation of strength and success, and only then will you have the power to bring meaningful change to others’ lives.

For example, if you become a judge, you will have the authority to deliver justice to the innocent.