[seibelj]

Self made rich people lived life a certain way and made their money through a combination of hard work and luck. But you need to do a lot of work to be able to recognize and take advantage of luck when it presents itself, plus the risk taking mentality. There is a very big difference from a rich doctor or lawyer and a wealthy entrepreneur.

I don’t believe that all rich people “exploited” those that work for them. Private businesses have customers who (in a non-crony system) voluntarily chose to give them money. It is the most noble and honest way to earn a living.

So they have interesting stories to tell and things to say as they accomplished a rare thing a lot of people dream about. Makes sense to me.

[tcbawo]

Advice from billionaires is subject to survivorship bias. Luck and timing have a huge multiplier effect on one's personal wealth. So, personal wealth is not proportional to the quality of message. Most extremely wealthy people I have come to know are surrounded by "yes men" that thrive by stroking their ego. But, wealth does provide a degree of freedom that gives one time for reflection and introspection. Personally, I believe a diversity of perspectives is healthy, while hero-worship is not.

[cratermoon]

> "Self made" rich people lived life a certain way and made their money through luck

FTFY. Give me the name of a self-made rich person and I'll tell you how they either a) weren't as self-made as their hagiobiography says or b) were luckier than they admit.

[seibelj]

I’m a self made rich person and I work 70 hours a week. I have worked 70 hour weeks my entire career.

[kreetx]

Nobody is saying "they did everything themselves" literally. Obviously there is help around, especially so when the enterprise is big. Question is just whether their advice has any value.