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.

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.]

Men are often capable of greater things than they perform. They are sent into the world with bills of credit, read more

Men are often capable of greater things than they perform. They are sent into the world with bills of credit, and seldom draw to their full extent.

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.

Men, like bullets, go farthest when they are smoothest.
[Ger., Die Menschen gehen wie Schiesskugeln weiter, wenn sie
read more

Men, like bullets, go farthest when they are smoothest.
[Ger., Die Menschen gehen wie Schiesskugeln weiter, wenn sie
abgeglattet sind.]

If they try to rush me, I always say, I've only got one other speed and it's slower.

If they try to rush me, I always say, I've only got one other speed and it's slower.

Wicked people are always surprised to find ability in those that are good.

Wicked people are always surprised to find ability in those that are good.

I shut my eyes in order to see.

I shut my eyes in order to see.

Anything you're good at contributes to happiness.

Anything you're good at contributes to happiness.