From The Quotable Mises — surrounding passage

Only fanatical partisans of this theory can contend that what distinguishes the genius from the dullard is entirely the effect of postnatal influences. Theory and History , p. 331 We cannot really say any more about the inherited characteristics of the individual than that some men are more gifted from birth than others. Where the difference between good and bad is to be sought we cannot say. Socialism , p. 288

“Men are unequal; individuals differ from one another. They differ because their prenatal as well as their postnatal history is never identical.”

The Ultimate Foundation of Economic Science , p. 59 Equality of opportunity is a factor neither in prize fights and beauty contests nor in any other field of competition, whether biological or social. The immense majority of people are by the physiological structure of their bodies deprived of a chance to attain the honors of a boxing champion or a beauty queen. Only very few people can compete on the labor market as opera singers and movie stars. Human Action , p. 276; p.