"Every wise, just, and fortunate man that ever existed owed his greatness, in the first place, to the universal favor of fortune; and in the second, to his own peculiar diligence and virtue"
Simplified meaning
People who achieve great things often do so thanks to a mix of good luck and hard work. First, they might encounter opportunities or circumstances beyond their control that give them an edge. For example, someone born into a supportive family or community might get more chances to succeed. However, just having good luck isn't enough. These individuals also work very hard and make good choices. They use their talents, stay diligent, and keep pushing forward. So, to really succeed, you need both favorable chances and a strong personal commitment to doing your best. This means taking advantage of the good things that come your way and consistently putting in the effort to improve and achieve your goals.
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