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.

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.

Every person is responsible for all the good with the scope of
his abilities, and for no more, and read more

Every person is responsible for all the good with the scope of
his abilities, and for no more, and none can tell whose sphere is
the largest.
- Gail Hamilton (pseudonym of Mary Abigail Dodge),

A man dies still if he has done nothing, as one who has done much.

A man dies still if he has done nothing, as one who has done much.

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.

I shut my eyes in order to see.

I shut my eyes in order to see.

There is no need to show your ability before everyone.

There is no need to show your ability before everyone.

A Traveller at Sparta, standing long upon one leg, said to a
Lacedaemonian, "I do not believe you can read more

A Traveller at Sparta, standing long upon one leg, said to a
Lacedaemonian, "I do not believe you can do as much." "True,"
said he. "but every goose can."

As we advance in life, we learn the limits of our abilities.

As we advance in life, we learn the limits of our abilities.