From such crooked wood as that which man is made of, nothing straight can be fashioned.

From such crooked wood as that which man is made of, nothing straight can be fashioned.

Ability wins us the esteem of the true men; luck, that of the people.

Ability wins us the esteem of the true men; luck, that of the people.

If you count all your assets you always show a profit.

If you count all your assets you always show a profit.

I add this also, that natural ability without education has
oftener raised man to glory and virtue, than education read more

I add this also, that natural ability without education has
oftener raised man to glory and virtue, than education without
natural ability.
[Lat., Etiam illud adjungo, saepius ad laudem atque virtutem
naturam sine doctrina, quam sine natura valisse doctrinam.]

Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire.

Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire.

Men who undertake considerable things, even in a regular way,
ought to give us ground to presume ability.

Men who undertake considerable things, even in a regular way,
ought to give us ground to presume ability.

For success, attitude is equally as important as ability.

For success, attitude is equally as important as ability.

To know how to hide one's ability is great skill.
[Fr., C'est une grande habilete que de savoir cacher read more

To know how to hide one's ability is great skill.
[Fr., C'est une grande habilete que de savoir cacher son
habilete.]

Ability is a poor man's wealth.

Ability is a poor man's wealth.