18．努力和能力

努力和能力。缺少两者，就不可能出类拔萃，如果二者兼而有之，定会卓尔不群。努力的平凡者比不努力的聪明人更有所成。工作是赢得荣誉的代价。付出少价值就低。即使是身居高位，所缺的往往是实干，很少是才能。宁愿在伟大的事业上取得普通成就，也不想在低级职位上出类拔萃，这本也无可厚非；如果你本是天才，却甘于平庸，则毫无道理。天赋与后天努力都不可或缺，付出努力方可大功告成。

18．Application and ability

Application and ability. There is no attaining eminence without both, and where they unite there is the greatest eminence. Mediocrity obtains more with application than superiority without it. Work is the price which is paid for reputation. What costs little is 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.