“Nothing can bring a man as much happiness or as much misery as man himself. » – Frederick DouglassFrom the dawn of man's creation to the present day, we have pondered the idea of ​​controlling our destiny. However, the answer to such a difficult proposition did not present itself until the end of the 19th century. This era gave rise to the Lyceum movement, which sparked a belief in individualism among Americans. The two men known to be the catalyst for this theory were Frederick Douglas and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Additionally, this concept of free will and financial autonomy is still prevalent in modern society. The mid-20th (20th) and early 21st (21st) centuries have become the era of entrepreneurship, where people of all nations no longer desire to work "for man" but create their own legacy of prosperity . Likewise, it is a period that redefined how those from all walks of life can achieve success and wealth. Hence the evolution of reality TV stars, YouTube sensations and rappers from ordinary individuals to fashion designers, actors and CEOs. However, our definition of success is not only defined by wealth, it also includes a meaningful life that is similar to that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm encompasses the ability to change our world for the better. Consequently, in his excerpt entitled “Self-Made Men”, Frederick Douglas enlightens us on the theory behind the success of these individuals. According to Douglas, the best, if not the only, explanation for their success is that they are working men/women. He believes that although there may be other factors in society...... middle of paper ......r if God decides to rewrite your destiny. As a result, this is why, as humans, we will never be completely in control of our destiny. In summary, the idea of ​​autonomy will continue to baffle the minds of our current and future generations. In fact, this is due to the lack of a definitive answer to the question. However, I am convinced that whether or not an individual is a believer in having control over their destiny, there are uncontrollable forces or factors in life that have the ability to control a tiny percentage of their destiny. Ralph Waldo Emerson – “Self-Sufficiency” (1841) http://www.emersoncentral.com/selfreliant.htm2. Frederick Douglas – “Self-Made Men” (1872) http://www.monadock.net/douglass/self-made-men.html3. New version of King James. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982. Bible Gateway. Sat. October. 8, 2011.