We can't cheat nature out of her aim; if she has set all the currents of your life toward medicine or law, you will only be a botch at anything else.

Will-power and application cannot make a farmer of a born painter any more than a lumbering draught horse can be changed into a race horse.

When the powers are not used along the line of their strength they become demoralized, weakened, deteriorated.

Self-respect, enthusiasm and courage ooze out; we become half-hearted and success is impossible.
Scott was called the great blockhead while in Edinburgh College.

Grant's mother called the future General and President, "Useless Grant," because he was so unhandy and dull.
Erskine had at length found his place as a lawyer; he carried everything before him at the bar.