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.

Pigmies placed on the shoulders of giants see more than the
giants themselves.

Pigmies placed on the shoulders of giants see more than the
giants themselves.

Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

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.

He could raise scruples dark and nice,
And after solve 'em in a trice;
As if Divinity read more

He could raise scruples dark and nice,
And after solve 'em in a trice;
As if Divinity had catch'd
The itch, on purpose to be scratched.

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.

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.]

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."

The wind and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.

The wind and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.