Fair points both. I was going for more of the hypocrisy and lack of effort regarding appearance, and the double standard. Being a misogynist isn't the default position, and it takes effort to be an asshole. Not to mention, a great sense of humor and a kind personality smooth over a lot of physical imperfections.

And you're right that luck and circumstances have more to do with your absolute success than anything. But relative success is often within your sphere of influence. Of the things you can control, your effort is most likely to be highly correlated with relative success. Sometimes the deck is stacked against you, and in those times just surviving requires phenomenal effort. But that's still a form of success.