The quote is basically saying that man is of no consequence until he does something to make the world notice him. For example, you don't notice a new band until they make their debut, right? They could have existed for years before they made a really great song that makes the world turn its head. The band is the man. Sometimes, like where it says "until someone makes something out of him", that means that the man was made. Basically, he was inspired or influenced by someone else, and THAT was what made him noticeable.
I hope I helped!
Good luck~~
