Original artwork, not a still
A man, as a general rule, owes very little to what he is born with — a man is what he makes of himself.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
The speaker holds that, in general, natural endowment counts for little and a person is defined by what they build of themselves. Character and achievement are treated as products of effort and choice rather than gifts of birth. The phrase 'as a general rule' leaves room for exceptions.
Context reviewed
