Page:Advice to Medical Students (1857) William Henry Fuller.djvu/13

13 the difference between man and man. Where so much depends on personal observation, and the adaptation of our knowledge to special circumstances, the acquirements which are most essential to success are a practical familiarity with the different phases of disease, and a well-grounded confidence in the administration of remedies—acquirements which the greatest talent will not command without steady, persevering industry, and which any man of moderate ability may possess, if, with a determined will, he devote himself to their attainment.

I trust I shall not be understood as estimating lightly the natural gifts with which it has pleased God to bless us. They are precious talents committed to our charge, and if rightly used, may be made to forward our success in this world and our happiness in the world to come. But he who is possessed of many talents may neglect his opportunities, and fall below the level of him who, though possessed of only one, yet turns that one to the best account. Be not dismayed, then, if now at the outset of your career you find yourselves deficient in some of those qualities which would most assist you in your race through life. Bather let the discovery urge you to fresh and more earnest exertions. You cannot at present form a just estimate of your powers, neither can you judge to what extent they may be developed. Many have gone before you, who, with little talent and against every disadvantage, have won their way to affluence and respect, and he who devotes himself in earnest to his work, and with an honest upright heart walks manfully along the path he has chosen, will seldom, if ever, fail in obtaining a reasonable amount of professional success. Eminence and high distinction he possibly may not attain, for amid the competition of the present day something more is needed than industry and good conduct to raise a man to the first rank in his profession. He must have a clear, vigorous, and well-trained intellect; he must