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.

You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.

You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.

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.

It is a fine thing to have ability, but the ability to discover ability in others is the true test.

It is a fine thing to have ability, but the ability to discover ability in others is the true test.

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.

Martyrdom is the only way a man can become famous without ability.

Martyrdom is the only way a man can become famous without 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.]

Life has been compared to a race, but the allusion improves by observing, that the most swift are usually the read more

Life has been compared to a race, but the allusion improves by observing, that the most swift are usually the least manageable and the most likely to stray from the course. Great abilities have always been less serviceable to the possessors than moderate ones.

The winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.

The winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.