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."

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.]

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.

The Creator has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do.

The Creator has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do.

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.

Anything you're good at contributes to happiness.

Anything you're good at contributes to happiness.

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.

Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.

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.]