| [No. 157] | Thursday, August 30, 1711 | Steele |
... Genius natale comes qui temperat astrum
Naturæ Deus humanæ Mortalis in unum
Quodque Caput ...
Hor.
I am very much at a loss to express by any Word that occurs to me in our Language that which is understood by
Indoles
in
Latin
. The natural Disposition to any Particular Art, Science, Profession, or Trade, is very much to be consulted in the Care of Youth, and studied by Men for their own Conduct when they form to themselves any Scheme of Life. It is wonderfully hard indeed for a Man to judge of his own Capacity impartially; that may look great to me which may appear little to another, and I may be carried by Fondness towards my self so far, as to attempt Things too high for my Talents and Accomplishments: But it is not methinks so very difficult a Matter to make a Judgment of the Abilities of others, especially of those who are in their Infancy. My Commonplace Book directs me on this Occasion to mention the Dawning of Greatness in
Alexander
, who being asked in his Youth to contend for a Prize in the Olympick Games, answered he would, if he had Kings to run against him.