What I would call a self-made-man is placing that man on an island with plenty of natural resources but will never have contact with anyone. Place him there and come back in 40 years to see what he has built. That is a self-made-man. Any one else needs the services and accomplishments of the rest of the world.

@Pand0ro I agree that would be a self made man but that is an extreme standard to meet. I think anyone can prosper in any situation if they are motivated. Its the mindset that makes the difference. If a person is expecting to be given everything they will have a rotten life. The motivated person will feel worthwhile as they better themselves and benefit the people counting on them. I have known too may people who grip and bemoan their situation. They for lack of a better words are jealous and think Im lucky or that I was given everything. They should focus on bettering themselves and their situation for their family.

For every successful entrepreneur there are 10 competent, motivated people who work hard and have only moderate success. I don't think many people consider how much circumstance is involved. Being in the right place at the right time is not something that can be planed upon. They might start a business, manage it well and grow it and then are hit by something like an economic downturn, a pandemic, an employee that embezzles from them, a customer who sues them, a well financed competitor that forces them out of business, a false rumor and many other disasters. If one of those situations had not taken place, they might have been highly successful. I do not begrudge a persons success when they earn it. It would be good if they recognized that there were chance factors that helped lead to their success, and the understanding and a little humility that recognizes others who have worked just as hard as them without the luck. People should feel thankful for what they have, lower wage workers included, and have some respect for those not as fortunate.