high status does not depend on birth; every man can achieve great power if he exerts himself
Classical Chinese-derived proverb asserting that noble rank is not determined by lineage; anyone can rise through effort. Used in literary or rhetorical contexts.
The saying '王侯将相いずくんぞ種あらんや' means that anyone can become great through effort.
From the Classical Chinese declaration 王侯将相寧有種乎, attributed to 陳勝 in the 史記. It asks rhetorically whether kings, nobles, generals, and ministers possess an inherited “seed” that destines them to rule.