You do not preach to the acorn that it is its duty to become a
large tree; you do not preach to the art-pupil that it is his
duty to become a Holbein. You plant your acorn in favorable
soil, where it can have light and air, and be sheltered from
the wind, you remove the superfluous branches, you train the
strength into the leading shoots. The acorn will then become
as fine a tree as it has vital force to become. The difference
between men and other things is only in the largeness and
variety of man’s capacities.--JAMES ANTHONY FROUDE.
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