William Wirt （b. 1772,d. 1834） was born in Bladensburg,Md. He was admitted tthe bar in 1799,and afterwards practiced law,with eminent success,at Richmond and Norfolk,Va. He was one of the counsel for the prosecution in the trial of Aaron Burr for treason. From 1817 t1829 he was attorney-general for the United States. In 1803 he published the "Letters of a British Spy," a work which attracted much attention,and in 1817 a "Life of Patrick Henry."
1.The education,moral1 and intellectual,of every individual,must be chiefly his own work. Rely upon it that the ancients were right;both in morals and intellect we give the final shape tour characters,and thus become,emphatically,the architects2 of our own fortune. How else could it happen that young men,whhave had precisely the same opportunities,should be continually presenting us with such different results,and rushing tsuch opposite destinies3?
2.Difference of talent will not solve it,because that difference is very often in favor of the disappointed candidate4. You will see issuing from the walls of the same college,nay,sometimes from the bosom of the same family,twyoung men,of whom one will be admitted tbe a genius5 of high order,the other scarcely above the point of mediocrity6;yet you will see the genius sinking and perishing in poverty,obscurity,1Moral,relating tduty or obligation. 2 Architects,builders,makers.3Destiny,ultimate fate,appointed condition.
4Candidate,one whseeks after some honor or office. 5Genius,a man of superior intellectual powers.6Mediocrity,a middle state or degree of talents.and wretchedness;while,on the other hand,you will observe the mediocre1 plodding his slow but sure way up the hill of life,gaining steadfast footing at every step,and mounting,at length,teminence and distinction,an ornament this family,a blessing this country.
3.Now,whose work is this? Manifestly their own. They are the architects of their.respective2 fortunes. The best seminary of learning that can open its portals tyou can dnmore than tafford you the opportunity of instruction;but it must depend,at last,on yourselves,whether you will be instructed or not,or twhat point you will push your instruction.
4.And of this be assured,I speak from observation a certain truth: THERE IS NEXCELLENCE WITHOUT GREAT LABOR.
It is the fiat3 of fate,from which npower of genius can absolve4 you.
5.Genius,unexerted,is like the poor moth that flutters around a candle till it scorches itself tdeath. If genius be desirable at all,it is only of that great and magnanimous kind,which,like the condor5 of South America,pitches from the summit of Chimborazo,above the clouds,and sustains itself at pleasure in that empyreal6 region with an energy rather invigorated than weakened by the effort.
6.It is this capacity for high and long-continued exertion,this vigorous power of profound and searching investigation,this careering7 and wide-spreading comprehension of mind,and these long reaches of thought,that"Pluck bright honor from the pale-faced moon,Or dive intthe bottom of the deep,1Mediocre （prmediokr）,a man of moderate talents. 2 Respective,particular,own.3Fiat,a decree.4Absolve,set free,release from.5Condor,a large bird of the vulture family.6Empyreal,relating tthe highest and purest region of the heavens. 7 Careering,moving rapidly.And pluck up drowned honor by the locks;"this is the prowess1,and these the hardy achievements,which are tenroll your names among the great men of the earth.1Prowess,bravery,boldness.