Final answer:
The phrase 'you be a man' is an admonition to take responsibility and exhibit the maturity expected of an adult, especially when faced with the consequences of one’s actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase “you be a man” as used in the excerpt suggests that one should take responsibility for their actions. This phrase often implies a level of maturity and accountability associated with adulthood. In the context provided, where adults are expected to accept the consequences of their actions rather than blaming others, it aligns with the notion of growing into a person who acknowledges their failures and does not shift the blame to someone else, like the 'boy who cried wolf'.