I can read that in two ways:  Material conditions in the EU have historically tended to reward effort less, vs. EU respondents median strength of character was poorer.  I consider the former to be a sufficient explanation, and the latter to be inflammatory.

Anyone who has ever faced combat will, regardless of their national origin, immediately recognize that resolution and will are crucial to success in adversarial conditions.  One scenario: If your adversary co-opts you successfully, they win.  That is the prevailing scenario in the developed world today.  I have not spent enough time in under-developed regions to comment on the prevailing scenario in those venues.

Of course, it may be argued that choosing combat exhibits weakness of character (or at least, of intellect) much deeper than the strength of character which enables victory in combat.

That said, I don't think Risto is ever really trying to be pompous.  He may have a little fun with the successes he has had and post a comment here and there about it, but I think his heart is one that wants to encourage us not to "throw in the towel" so to speak and hold on or buy more coins and try to see the big picture. He has been in this a bit longer than many of us have and has reaped the rewards that could well be ours too if we just show a little patience and self-control.