Fortune may crowd a man's life with fortunate…

We succeed, not alone by the laborious exertions of our faculties, be they small or great, but by the regular, thoughtful and systematic exercise…

— Frederick Douglass

I do not think much of the good luck theory of self-made men. It is worth but little attention and has no practical value.

— Frederick Douglass

My theory of self-made men is, then, simply this; that they are men of work. Whether or not such men have acquired material, moral…

— Frederick Douglass

Self-Made Men are those who owe little or nothing to birth, relationship, or friendly surroundings; to wealth inherited or to early approved means of…

— Frederick Douglass

Self-Made Men are the men who owe little or nothing to birth, relationship, friendly surroundings; to wealth inherited or to early approved means of…

— Frederick Douglass

Opportunity is important but exertion is indispensable.

— Frederick Douglass

The man who will get up will be helped up; and the man who will not get up will be allowed to stay down.

— Frederick Douglass

The American cultural ideal of the self-made man, of everyone standing on his own feet, is as tragic a picture as the initiative –…

— Kurt Lewin

A self-made man may prefer a self-made name.

— Learned Hand

When did it become something of shame or ridicule to be a self-made man in America?

— Glenn Beck

My especial object is to help the poor; the rich can help themselves. I believe in self-made men.

— Joseph Pulitzer

My father started with nothing and is a self-made man. No matter what I do with my life, I can never match his accomplishments.

— Tamara Ecclestone

The most famous self-made man in the world today is our own Edison. Talk with Mr. Edison and he will tell you he owes…

— B. C. Forbes

Self-made men are most always apt to be a little too proud of the job.

— Josh Billings

There is no such thing as a "self-made" man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind…

— George Matthew Adams