The quote from Wallace Stegner's "The Big Rock Candy Mountain" reflects on the complexity of human development. It suggests that creating a man is not a simple task; rather, it requires a lengthy process of combining various traits inherited from parents. This combination involves elements of both gentleness and strength, as well as a balance between self-interest and altruism.

Stegner highlights the idea that personal qualities are shaped over generations through the interplay of maternal and paternal influences. Resilience and ambition, along with other contrasting traits, come together in an intricate way, ultimately contributing to the formation of an individual's character. This process underscores the importance of familial and societal contributions in shaping who we become.