When people find a man of the most distinguished abilities as a writer their inferior while he is with them, read more

When people find a man of the most distinguished abilities as a writer their inferior while he is with them, it must be highly gratifying to them.

I shut my eyes in order to see.

I shut my eyes in order to see.

The first requisite for success is the ability to apply your physical and mental energies to one problem incessantly without read more

The first requisite for success is the ability to apply your physical and mental energies to one problem incessantly without growing weary.

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.

There is no need to show your ability before everyone.

There is no need to show your ability before everyone.

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.]

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.

Read my little fable:
He that runs may read.
Most can raise the flowers now,
read more

Read my little fable:
He that runs may read.
Most can raise the flowers now,
For all have got the seed.

Everyone must row with the oars he has.

Everyone must row with the oars he has.