"Kindness is the essence of greatness."

Joseph B. Wirthlin 

I think kindness is a steeping stone towards greatness, not the essence. Although kindness is associated with some great people, I don't believe that is what made them great. I think a myriad of things make a person fit for "greatness", however kindness, most of the time, is a very small factor. I don't thin kindness embodies greatness. I think people will do anything to be considered great,even unkind things. There is no restrictions for what greatness is, so in my opinion this statement is ignorant.