18．努力和能力

    努力和能力。缺少兩者，就不可能出類拔萃，如果二者兼而有之，定會卓爾不群。努力的平凡者比不努力的聰明人更有所成。工作是赢得榮譽的代價。付出少價值就低。即使是身居高位，所缺的往往是實幹，很少是才能。甯願在偉大的事業上取得普通成就，也不想在低級職位上出類拔萃，這本也無可厚非；如果你本是天才，卻甘于平庸，則毫無道理。天賦與後天努力都不可或缺，付出努力方可大功告成。

    

18．Applicationandability

    Applicationandability.Thereisnoattainingeminencewithoutboth,andwheretheyunitethereisthegreatesteminence.Mediocrityobtainsmorewithapplicationthansuperioritywithoutit.Workisthepricewhichispaidforreputation.Whatcostslittleislittleworth.Evenforthehighestpostsitisonlyinsomecasesapplicationthatiswanting,rarelythetalent.Toprefermoderatesuccessingreatthingsthaneminenceinahumbleposthastheexcuseofagenerousmind,butnotsotobecontentwithhumblemediocritywhenyoucouldshineamongthehighest.Thusnatureandartarebothneeded,andapplicationsetsonthemtheseal.