The Art of Worldly Wisdom (18)

2009-12-30 22:34| 发布者: patrick| 查看: 637| 评论: 0

Application and ability. There is no attaining eminence without both, and where they unite there is the greatest eminence. Mediocre people obtain more with application than superior people without it. Work is the price that is paid for reputation. What costs little is of little worth. Even for the highest posts it is only in some cases application that is wanting, rarely the talent. To prefer moderate success in great things than eminence in a humble post has the excuse of a generous mind, but not so to be content with humble mediocrity when you could shine among the highest. Thus nature and art are both needed, and application sets on them the seal.

《处世之道——300则永恒的人间智慧》，Baltasar Gracian 著