[phillmv]

>the mere mortals around him

I think I can empathize with your view, now.

Your mileage may vary, but as a mere mortal I personally find it much more reassuring when the role of luck is recognized.

Too many narratives are akin to:

"Well, I worked very hard every day without stop and tho I struggled at first - with how hard I was working - eventually the fruits of my labour yielded this unbroken string of successes thereby reaping my just deserts"

[dcmininni]

Agreed.