I once read a quote that suggested a person becomes stronger when there's no friends to lean on or to provide guidance.
Benito Mussolini said that, I agree a person left to themselves, and with a powerful enough need, may find it within themselves to do what's required to succeed, achieve or even survive. I don't believe it is always the case though and a lack of proper guidance can result in abject failure or worse.
We are able to seek knowledge and wisdom from so many different sources and so easily that it's inconceivable to think a person lacks for guidance in these modern times.
I don't believe it's all good, accurate or positive, but with some effort a person can quite easily find what they need and move on with reasonable success. It doesn't make sense, therefore, that people continue to make the same mistakes over and over or fail to understand the basic concepts that help create a good and wholesome life. Are people that stupid or is it apathy that causes a repeat of the same mistakes and a failure to improve, develop and grow?
I don't know the answer but I think if we applied the Benito Mussolini quote to a lot of people these days it would not make much sense at all because even with multiple ways in which a person can seek guidance they fail to do much for themselves at all.
I'm fortunate to have had some good guidance from people who had the experience, skills and willingness to confidently provide it and that's made a big difference to me. No one did anything for me, they taught me how to do things for myself and to think the right way to set my own feet on the right path. I feel incredibly fortunate for that and work towards imparting some of the same to others.