The world is like a board with holes in it, and the square men
have got into the round read more

The world is like a board with holes in it, and the square men
have got into the round holes, and the round into the square.

There is great ability in knowing how to conceal one's ability.

There is great ability in knowing how to conceal one's ability.

The carpenter is not the best who makes more chips than all the rest.

The carpenter is not the best who makes more chips than all the rest.

When people find a man of the most distinguished abilities as a writer their inferior while he is with them, read more

When people find a man of the most distinguished abilities as a writer their inferior while he is with them, it must be highly gratifying to them.

Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.

Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.

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.]

Executive ability is deciding quickly and getting somebody else to do the work.

Executive ability is deciding quickly and getting somebody else to do the work.

God does not ask about our ability, but our availability.

God does not ask about our ability, but our availability.

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

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