Emerson suggests that a capable and energetic person can find or create a place for themselves even when opportunities appear limited. By a “man of force”, he means someone with determination, practical ability and the capacity to act effectively rather than someone who relies only on position or circumstance.

The second part of the quotation extends the idea beyond individual success. A person with sufficient ability may create work, institutions, ideas or opportunities that also benefit others. Within Power, this reflects Emerson’s broader interest in productive energy and the ability to convert intention into action. The claim is deliberately broad and does not mean that determination alone overcomes every structural barrier. Rather, it presents effective leadership and initiative as forces that can expand possibilities, not only for the individual who acts but also for people around them.