Even someone with limited abilities or opportunities is dominant over, and considered special by, those who have even fewer abilities and opportunities; the value of any ability depends on its prevalence.

A person who has talent, resolve, or moral strength will eventually succeed despite having been overlooked, injured, or defeated.

Each person is the chief cause of their success or failure in life.

Synonym of behind every successful man there stands a woman (“men's success often depends on the support and work of their wives or female partners”)

A man’s achievements are made possible by the support and work of their wife or female partner.

Synonym of behind every successful man there stands a woman (“men's success often depends on the support and work of their wives or female partners”)

Alternative form of in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king

Alternative form of in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king

Cooking food for a man is a good way to win his affections.

It is more worthwhile to teach someone to do something (for themselves) than to do it for them (on an ongoing basis).