  Mind is a thing that we partly have by nature, and partly have to create by mental discipline and exercise. Or, as Horace says: 'Ego nec studium sine divite vena, Nec rude quid prosit video ingenium.' De Arte Poetica, 409, 410. In English: 'What can our studies yield, where mind is weak; Or what a genius do, that's not with discipline prepared?' Nor is it yet clear, on which, supposing a well-organized and healthy body, most will depend—upon the native endowment, or upon the labor of developing and applying the inborn power. Distinguishing, however, between genius and talent, we may safely admit that no discipline, without 'the gift and faculty divine,' will produce the one; and hold that well-directed industry, in almost any case of a naturally sound mind, will surely develop the other. The half-made and often ill-tutored efforts of the usual processes of learning, are not to be allowed a decisive voice against the supposition that vigorous mental life might be the common portion of educated men. |
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