Literary notes about abilities (AI summary)
The term "abilities" in literature is used to capture a range of meanings, from inherent natural talents to skills honed through diligence and learning. In many works, it signifies an intrinsic quality that not only reflects a character’s potential but also determines their capacity to contribute meaningfully to society [1]. Some authors present abilities as dynamic traits—capable of being refined by persistent effort [2]—while others use the word to underscore the vanity and ambition tied to acquired skills [3]. In historical and political narratives, abilities are frequently linked to leadership and administrative acumen, marking the difference between success and mediocrity [4], [5]. Moreover, in both moral and social debates, abilities are portrayed not merely as static gifts but as qualities that interact with personal virtues and societal expectations, shaping an individual’s destiny in various contexts [6], [7], [8].
- He possessed great natural abilities, which he dedicated to the service of his fellow-creatures, without any view of emolument to himself.
— from Fox's Book of Martyrs by John Foxe - If you have great talents, industry will improve them: if you have but moderate abilities, industry will supply their deficiency.
— from Sir Joshua Reynolds' DiscoursesEdited, with an Introduction, by Helen Zimmern by Reynolds, Joshua, Sir - He was well aware of his own considerable abilities, and nervously exaggerated them in his self-conceit.
— from The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - The principal administration of public affairs was committed to the diligence and abilities of the master of the offices.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - He died just before the invasion by Cambyses, having displayed great abilities as a ruler.
— from The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 1 (of 6) by the Elder Pliny - And is not the chief object of vanity, our bravery or learning, our wit or breeding, our eloquence or address, our taste or abilities?
— from An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals by David Hume - The richer phenomenon is always the beginning: our abilities are subtilised forms of richer abilities.
— from The Will to Power: An Attempted Transvaluation of All Values. Book III and IV by Nietzsche - Our worthy brother is this day going to school, and may in two or three years be able to display his abilities and establish his reputation.
— from Hung Lou Meng, or, the Dream of the Red Chamber, a Chinese Novel, Book I by Xueqin Cao
