Take, for example, a great fire.

Haven't we often read of the brave fireman who sprang forward and by doing the right thing instantly, saved a multitude of lives?
Well, such a man is possessed of self-reliance.

He is trained for the hazardous life he leads.

When the emergency arose he was ready in a jiffy to do the work expected of him.
It is safe to say that without training such men would have botched the job and instead of being praised to the skies would have sunk into oblivion under the heap of public scorn.

Sometimes it happens that a man accidentally becomes a hero, but it was no accident that he was _able to become one_.