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.

Martyrdom is the only way a man can become famous without ability.

Martyrdom is the only way a man can become famous without ability.

Everyone must row with the oars he has.

Everyone must row with the oars he has.

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

I add this, that rational ability without education has oftener raised man to glory and virtue, than education without natural ability.

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.]

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

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

I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.

I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor.

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

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

It is all one to me if a man comes from Sing Sing or Harvard. We hire a man, not read more

It is all one to me if a man comes from Sing Sing or Harvard. We hire a man, not his history.