Ability

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.

Men who undertake considerable things, even in a regular way,
ought to give us ground to presume ability.

Men who undertake considerable things, even in a regular way,
ought to give us ground to presume ability.

He could raise scruples dark and nice,
And after solve 'em in a trice;
As if Divinity read more

He could raise scruples dark and nice,
And after solve 'em in a trice;
As if Divinity had catch'd
The itch, on purpose to be scratched.

For as our modern wits behold,
Mounted a pick-back on the old,
Much farther off, much further read more

For as our modern wits behold,
Mounted a pick-back on the old,
Much farther off, much further he,
Rais'd on his aged Beast, could see.

You are a devil at everything, and there is no kind of thing in
the 'versal world but what read more

You are a devil at everything, and there is no kind of thing in
the 'versal world but what you can turn your hand into.

I add this also, that natural ability without education has
oftener raised man to glory and virtue, than education read more

I add this also, that natural ability without education has
oftener raised man to glory and virtue, than education without
natural ability.
[Lat., Etiam illud adjungo, saepius ad laudem atque virtutem
naturam sine doctrina, quam sine natura valisse doctrinam.]

The dwarf sees farther than the giant, when he has the giant's
shoulders to mount on.

The dwarf sees farther than the giant, when he has the giant's
shoulders to mount on.

Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire.

Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire.

As we advance in life, we learn the limits of our abilities.

As we advance in life, we learn the limits of our abilities.

There is no need to show your ability before everyone.

There is no need to show your ability before everyone.