The Best Thing To Come From France Since French Fries
French fries made us happy, this idea made us. Better.
Noblesse Oblige
Noblesse oblige — a French phrase meaning “Noble Obligation.”
In those times, it described the duty of the wealthy and powerful to give back to those less fortunate.
But that idea doesn’t have to stay locked in old money or castles.
It’s an idea we can all live by.
Because if we really zoom out, every one of us, in some form, has been given something: a talent, a skill, a story, an opportunity.
And those gifts carry a quiet obligation to share them, to serve through them, and to build something that leaves others better than we found them.
That’s our version of Noblesse Oblige.
The Paradox of Selflessness
The hard part about being selfless… is that it requires a little selfishness first.
If we don’t take care of ourselves, sharpen our craft, build our capacity, then we don’t have anything to give.
We can’t pour from an empty cup.
And yet, we’re often told that being selfish, wanting more, doing things for ourselves, chasing personal growth is wrong.
But it’s not wrong.
It’s just incomplete if it stops there.
The point isn’t to stay selfish.
It’s to use selfishness as a bridge to become selfless.
To build ourselves into someone capable of giving more.
Why Selfishness Comes First
When we want just enough for ourselves, we limit what we can contribute.
If we stay small, if we only earn enough for our bills, only train enough to get by, only learn enough to sound smart.. If that’s all, then what happens when life demands more from us?
Kids get sick.
Parents get older.
Friends need help.
Opportunities appear that require resources, time, or strength we never built.
When we stop at “enough for me,” the people who depend on us end up paying for that decision.
That’s not noble.
That’s neglect hidden behind modesty.
So maybe the real selfish act… is refusing to become more.
Becoming the Man You Desire
The quote goes:
“Become the man you desire, then gift that man to the world.”
That’s the full circle.
We become better, stronger, wiser, more capable, not for ego, but for service.
We train our minds, build our businesses, grow our faith, expand our capacity… not just to accumulate, but to contribute.
Noblesse oblige isn’t about charity.
It’s about stewardship.
It’s about becoming so full that giving feels natural.
Because when we have more energy, love, money, faith, wisdom, we can give more.
What now..
The goal isn’t to have it all.
It’s to have enough to give it all away.
Selfishness is the seed.
Selflessness is the tree.
We grow ourselves not for pride, but for purpose.
If we want to give more
we must first become more.
That’s Noblesse Oblige.
