It is a fine thing to have ability, but the ability to discover ability in others is the true test.

It is a fine thing to have ability, but the ability to discover ability in others is the true test.

Natural abilities are like natural plants; they need pruning by study.

Natural abilities are like natural plants; they need pruning by study.

Any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one.

Any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one.

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.

We shall generally find that the triangular person has got into
the square hole, the oblong into the triangular, read more

We shall generally find that the triangular person has got into
the square hole, the oblong into the triangular, and a square
person has squeezed himself into the round hole.

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.

We all have ability. The difference is how we use it.

We all have ability. The difference is how we use it.

To the very last, he [Napolean] had a kind of idea, that, namely,
of "la carriere ouverte aux talents"--the read more

To the very last, he [Napolean] had a kind of idea, that, namely,
of "la carriere ouverte aux talents"--the tools to him that can
handle them.

Ability hits the mark where presumption overshoots and diffidence falls short.

Ability hits the mark where presumption overshoots and diffidence falls short.