ability

is capacity to act wisely on a thing apprehended whereas intelligence is quickness to apprehend.

Intelligence is quickness to apprehend as distinct form ability, which is capacity to act wisely on the thing apprehended. Alfred North Whitehead

is, for the superior man, a source of stress on account not of his lack of recognition, but rather for his continued limitations in ability.

The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability... he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has. (Confucius)

is impressive when the ability in question is the ability conceal one's ability.

It is a great ability to be able to conceal one's ability. (Francois de La Rochefoucauld)

, when used to advantage, is better than brilliance - even when it is only moderate.

The art of using moderate abilities to advantage often brings greater results than actual brilliance. (Francois de La Rochefoucauld)

is not always manifest. There are many rare abilities in the world which fortune never brings to light.

There are many rare abilities in the world which Fortune never brings to light. (Thomas Fuller)

is the natural equipment to accomplish some small part of the meaner ambitions distinguishing able men from dead ones. In the last analysis ability is commonly found to consist mainly in a high degree of solemnity.

ability, n. The natural equipment to accomplish some small part of the meaner ambitions distinguishing able men from dead ones. In the last analysis ability is commonly found to consist mainly in a high degree of solemnity. (Ambrose Bierce)

is a special skill, like speaking several languages, or keeping your mouth shut in one.

 withers under criticism, the blossoms under encouragement.

*Fiction is Truth's elder sister. Obviously. No one in the world knew what truth was till somebody had told a story.

ability, n.All

ability