There is something that is much more scarce, something finer far, something rarer than ability. It is the ability to read more

There is something that is much more scarce, something finer far, something rarer than ability. It is the ability to recognize ability.

'Tis skill not strength that governs a ship.

'Tis skill not strength that governs a ship.

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.

Life has been compared to a race, but the allusion improves by observing, that the most swift are usually the read more

Life has been compared to a race, but the allusion improves by observing, that the most swift are usually the least manageable and the most likely to stray from the course. Great abilities have always been less serviceable to the possessors than moderate ones.

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.

If there be anything that can be called genius, it consists chiefly in ability to give that attention to a read more

If there be anything that can be called genius, it consists chiefly in ability to give that attention to a subject which keeps it steadily in the mind, till we have surveyed it accurately on all sides.

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.

Ability is of little account without opportunity.

Ability is of little account without opportunity.