Knowing what you can not do is more important than knowing what you can do. In fact, that's good taste.

Knowing what you can not do is more important than knowing what you can do. In fact, that's good taste.

The abilities of man must fall short on one side or the other, like too scanty a blanket when you read more

The abilities of man must fall short on one side or the other, like too scanty a blanket when you are abed. If you pull it upon your shoulders, your feet are left bare; if you thrust it down to your feet, your shoulders are uncovered.

Martyrdom is the only way a man can become famous without ability.

Martyrdom is the only way a man can become famous without ability.

Natural abilities can almost compensate for the want of every kind of cultivation, but no cultivation of the mind can read more

Natural abilities can almost compensate for the want of every kind of cultivation, but no cultivation of the mind can make up for the want of natural abilities.

One thing, however, I must premise, that without the assistance
of natural capacity, rules and precepts are of no read more

One thing, however, I must premise, that without the assistance
of natural capacity, rules and precepts are of no efficacy.
[Lat., Illud tamen in primis testandum est, nihil praecepta atque
artes valere nisi adjuvante natura.]

He is the best sailor who can steer within fewest points of the wind, and exact a motive power out read more

He is the best sailor who can steer within fewest points of the wind, and exact a motive power out of the greatest obstacles.

A man must not deny his manifest abilities, for that is to evade his obligations.

A man must not deny his manifest abilities, for that is to evade his obligations.

You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.

You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.

Everyone must row with the oars he has.

Everyone must row with the oars he has.