Talent is something，but tact is everything.Talent is serious，sober，grave，and respectable: tact is all that，and more too.It is not a sixth sense，but it is the life of all the five.It is the open eye，the quick ear，the judging taste，the keen smell，and the lively touch；it is the interpreter of all riddles，the surmounter of all difficulties，the remover of all obstacles.It is useful in all places，and at all times；it is useful in solitude，for it shows a man into the world；it is useful in society，for it shows him his way through the world.
Talent is power，tact is skill；talent is weight，tact is momentum；talent knows what to do，tact knows how to do it；talent makes a man respectable，tact will make him respected；talent is wealth，tact is ready money.For all the practical purposes，tact carries it against talent ten to one.
Take them to the theater，and put them against each other on the stage，and talent shall produce you a tragedy that shall scarcely live long enough to be condemned，while tact keeps the house in a roar，night after night，with its successful farces.There is no want of dramatic talent，there is no want of dramatic tact；but they are seldom together: so we have successful pieces which are not respectable，and respectable pieces which are not successful.
Take them to the bar，and let them shake their learned curls at each other in legal rivalry；talent sees its way clearly，but tact is first at its journey's end.Talent has many a compliment from the bench，but tact touches fees.Talent makes the world wonder that it gets on no faster，tact arouses astonishment that it gets on so fast.And the secret is，that it has no weight to carry；it makes no false steps；it hits the right nail on the head；it loses no time；it takes all hints；and，by keeping its eye on the weathercock，is ready to take advantage of every wind that blows.
Take them into the church: talent has always something worth hearing，tact is sure of abundance of hearers；talent may obtain a living，tact will make one；talent gets a good name，tact a great one；talent convinces，tact converts；talent is an honor to the profession，tact gains honor from the profession.
Take them to court: talent feels its weight，tact finds its way；talent commands，tact is obeyed；talent is honored with approbation，and tact is blessed by preferment.Place them in the senate: talent has the ear of the house，but tact wins its heart，and has its votes；talent is fit for employment，but tact is fitted for it.It has a knack of slipping into place with a sweet silence and glibness of movement，as a billiard ball insinuates itself into the pocket.
It seems to know everything，without learning anything.It has served an extemporary apprenticeship；it wants no drilling；it never ranks in the awkward squad；it has no left hand，no deaf ear，no blind side.It puts on no look of wondrous wisdom，it has no air of profundity，but plays with the details of place as dexterously as a well-taught hand flourishes over the keys of the pianoforte.It has all the air of commonplace，and all the force and power of genius.
译文 TRANSLATION
才能了不得，而机智则不得了。才能严肃、冷静、庄重、体面；机智则兼容并包，更上层楼。机智不是第六感，而是所有五种感官的精髓。它是开阔的视觉，敏锐的听觉，明辨的味觉，灵敏的嗅觉，生动的触觉；它能破解所有谜语，征服所有困难，排除所有障碍。无论何时、无论何地，机智皆有所用。幽居独处，机智为人展示入世之道；交际应酬，机智为人指引出世之方。
才能是力量，机智则是技巧；才能是优势，机智则是契机。才能知道做什么，机智则知道怎么做。才能使人显得体面，机智则令人备受敬重。才能是财富，机智则是现金。就各种实用目的而言，机智之于才能犹如江海之于溪涧。
若才能与机智共入剧院，同台竞技，才能将献演一部过目即忘的悲剧；而机智则是一部夜夜满座、笑料劲爆的喜剧。引人瞩目的才能并非鲜有，令人击节的机智亦非仅见，但二美难并。所以，体面的却不成功，成功的却不体面。
若才能与机智同上法庭，晃动着他们博学的卷发在诉讼中争胜；则才能明辨道路，而机智却先达终点。才能博得法官的赞誉；而机智却赢得官司。才能让世人奇怪它进展那么慢，机智则让世人惊异它前行多么迅捷。而其秘诀在于，机智没有负担，从不失策；机智能切中要害，且不荒废时间；它洞幽烛隐，注视着风向标，准备利用每一缕吹过的风。
假设才能与机智齐进教堂。才能总是值得倾听，而机智则有满堂听众。才能得到生计，而机智则创造生活。才能赢得善名，机智则获得威名。才能让人一时悦服，机智令人一世皈依。才能给信仰附加荣光，机智从信仰本身中获得荣光。
若才能与机智共同跻身宫廷。才能感觉自己的影响，机智找到自己的道路。才能发号施令，机智则让人心悦诚服。才能得到赞许，机智则获致荣宠。若二者同在元老院，才能令举座侧耳倾听，机智则博得欢心，收获选票。才能可一展所学，而机智却能随机应变、用非所学。它可静默、从容地晋身荣显，如弹子球之迂曲、巧妙入袋。
机智似乎不学却博闻多识。它曾即兴学习，却无须反复演练。它从不与愚氓为伍，它不笨拙、不昏聩、不炫智，亦不故作深沉。它操弄细节就如训练有素的手在钢琴键上飞舞，它貌似寻常却有天才的力量与影响。
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