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.

Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.

Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.

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.

There is great ability in knowing how to conceal one's ability.

There is great ability in knowing how to conceal one's ability.

To know how to hide one's ability is great skill.
[Fr., C'est une grande habilete que de savoir cacher read more

To know how to hide one's ability is great skill.
[Fr., C'est une grande habilete que de savoir cacher son
habilete.]

Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire.

Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire.

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.

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.

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.