He believes that there is no thing between poor men and rich except them giving it them all. If they don't end up giving it their all and trying that's when they deserve to be poor. He saying that you have to overcome obstacles to get through things in life you can't just give up because something isn't working out for you. Jurgis come in by when he tries everything to make good money for his family but then he doesn't end up getting paid good. Then he ends up losing the house but he goes out there and gets a job so he can support his wife and son. The people he encounters throughout the novel end up helping him or screwing him over. He ends up getting help from a guy that invites him into his home. The guy makes him feel welcome and helps him out but then ends up wanting something in return. That's what sinclair is talking about