This is a good way to think on an individual level: ie. taking control of one's own destiny, but it's not adequate on a statistical/societal level. We know for a fact that there are number of correlating factors to success beyond an individual's ambition/discipline/chutzpah. If we ignore this as a society and the rich people from advantaged backgrounds (ie. the majority) continue to pat themselves on the back for their work ethic, then the growing divide between rich and poor will accelerate and destabilize the very status quo which the self-satisfied rich depend on to maintain their wealth and privilege.