There is no need to show your ability before everyone.

There is no need to show your ability before everyone.

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.

Natural abilities can almost compensate for the want of every kind of cultivation, but no cultivation of the mind can read more

Natural abilities can almost compensate for the want of every kind of cultivation, but no cultivation of the mind can make up for the want of natural abilities.

Knowing what you can not do is more important than knowing what you can do. In fact, that's good taste.

Knowing what you can not do is more important than knowing what you can do. In fact, that's good taste.

The wicked are always surprised to find ability in the good.
[Fr., Les merchants sont toujours surpris de trouver read more

The wicked are always surprised to find ability in the good.
[Fr., Les merchants sont toujours surpris de trouver de
l'habilete dans les bons.]

Everyone must row with the oars he has.

Everyone must row with the oars he has.

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.

Men take only their needs into consideration, never their abilities.

Men take only their needs into consideration, never their abilities.

The abilities of man must fall short on one side or the other, like too scanty a blanket when you read more

The abilities of man must fall short on one side or the other, like too scanty a blanket when you are abed. If you pull it upon your shoulders, your feet are left bare; if you thrust it down to your feet, your shoulders are uncovered.