A man, as a general rule, owes very little to what he is born with - a man is what he makes of himself.
SuccessAgencyEffortMotivationResponsibilitySelf improvementSelf reliance
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Natural talent matters less than personal effort and self-shaping.
- In plain terms
- You define yourself through your actions, not your birth.
- What can you take from it?
- Take responsibility for your own development.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What habits are you building today?
- How much of your life is chosen?
Another view
Some starting advantages like wealth or genetics do influence outcomes.
More from Alexander Graham Bell
If a man is not bound down, he is sure to succeed.
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