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.

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.

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 think that God, in creating man, somewhat overestimated his ability.

I think that God, in creating man, somewhat overestimated his ability.

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.

Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.

Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.

It is all one to me if a man comes from Sing Sing or Harvard. We hire a man, not read more

It is all one to me if a man comes from Sing Sing or Harvard. We hire a man, not his history.

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.

There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there read more

There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other.