You have education and brain power.
That's what I lack and that's what I want above all other things.

I try to study at night and educate myself.

But I haven't got any chance against you fellows who are born intellectual and have college training on top of it.

So if I have talked sharp to you, my cussedness is really due to envy.

I really want to be in your shoes, and I haven't got the brains for the job." This worked.
"There is nothing about me for a fellow like you to envy," he said condescendingly.