Arthur Dixon letters

neither pleasant not safe. – Bounaparte [sic] has remarked of one of his marshals, that he had a military genius, but had not intrepidity enough in the field to execute one of his plans, and of another he said "he is as brave as his sword, but he wants judgment and resources, neither" he added "is to be trusted with a great command["]. This want of harmony between the talents and the temperament is often found in private life, and wherever found, is the fruitful source of faults and sufferings. – Perhaps there are few less happy than those who are ambitious without industry; who pant for the prize but will not run the race. – Now this defect whether arising from indolence or timidity is far from being incurable. It may at least in part be remedied by frequently reflecting on the endless encouragement to exertion held out by our own experience and by example "C'est des difficultés que naissent les miracles". – It is not every calamity that is a curse, and early adversity especially is often a blessing. Perhaps Madame de Maintenon never would have mounted a throne had not her cradle been rocked in a prison. Surmounted obstacles not only teach, but hearten us in our future struggles, for virtue must be learnt, though unfortunately some of the vices come as it were by inspiration. – The austerities of our northern climate are thought to be the cause of our abundant comforts, as our wintry nights and our stormy seas have given us a race of seamen perhaps unequalled and certainly not surpassed by any in the world. "Mother", said a Spartan going to battle "my sword is too short." "Add a step to it" she replied, but it must be owned that this was advice to be given only to a Spartan boy. – They should not be thrown into the water who cannot swim. I know your buoyancy and I have no fears of your being drowned. – There are few difficulties that hold out against real attacks – they fly like the visible horizon before those who advance. A passionate desire and an unwearied will can perform impossibilities, or what seem to be such to the cold and feeble