The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1872-07-25
Tact and Talent.

Talent is something but tact is
everything. Talent is serious, so
Der and respectable; tact is sll that
and more too. 1t is not a seventh
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 in
terpreter of all riddles-the sur
mOunter of all obstacles. IL is USE
ful in all places, and at all times.
It is useful in society, for it shows
HIM his way through the world
Talent is power; tact is skill. Tai
ent Is weight, tact is momentum
Talent knows what to do; tact knows
how to- do it. Talent will make a
man respectable; tact will make him
respected. Talent is wealth; tact is
ready money. For the practical
purpOsies Of life tact carries it
against talent, ten to Oue. There is
no want of dramatic tact, there is no
want of dramatic talent; but they
are seldom together; SO we have
successful pieces which are not re-
spectacle; and respectable pieces
which are not successful. Take
them to the bar and let them shake
their learned curls at each other in
lagal rivalry; talent sees it's way
clearly; but tact is first at his jour
nvy's end. Talent has many 8 com
Plinent from the bench; but tact
touches fees from attorneys and eli
cnts. Talent speaks learnedly and
logically; tact triumphantly. Tai
ent makes the world wonder that it
gets along no faster; tact excites
astOnishment that it gets on so fast;
the secret is it has no weight to car
ry,. 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 weather-cOck
is ready to take advantage Of every
wind that blows.
Take them into the church-tal-
ent has always something to say
worth hearing; tact is sure Cf Gbun-
dance of hearers. Talent may OBJ
tain living; tact viii make one
Talent gets a good name, tact gets
a great one. Talent convinces; tact
converts. Talent is an honor to the
profession; tact gains honor from
the profession.
Take them 20 court-talent feels
its weight; tact makes its way. Tai
ent commands; tact obeys. Tai
ent is honOred with appreciation;
tact is blessed with prefeIment.
Place them in the Senate-talent
has the ear of the house, but tact
wins the hearts and gains its votes.
Talent is fit for employment, but
tact is fitted for it. 1t has a knack
of slipping into place, with a sweet
silence ard glibness of movement,
as a billiard ball iusinuates itself in
to a pocket. 1t seems to know every
thing without learning anything
1t has served an invisible and eX-
temporaneous apprenticeship. 1t
has no left hand, no deaf ear, blind
side. 1t puts on no looks Of won
drous wisdom, it has no air of pro-
fundity, but plays with the details OF
place as deXterously rs a well taught
hand hOurishes over the piano forte.
1t has all the air Of common place
and all the farce and power of ge-
Mus. 1t can change sides with a
key presto movement, and be at all
points of the compass, while talent
is pnnderously and learnedly chang
ing a single point. Talent calcu-
lates clearly, reasons logically, and
utters its oracles with all weight of
Justice and reason. Tact refutes
without contradicting, puzzles the
profound, without wit Outwits thc !
wise. Set them together on a race
for popularity, pen in hand, and tact |
will distance talent by half the
course. Talent brings to market |
that which is wanted; tact produces
that which is wished for. Talent |
instructs, tact cnlightens. Talent |
leads where no one follows, tact |
follows where the humor leads.-l
Talent is pleased that it ought to /
succeed, tact is delighted that il has
succeeded. Talent tolls for posteri-
ty, which will never repay it; tact |
catches the passion of the passing |
hour. Talent builds for eternity; !
tact on short lease and gets good |
interest. Talent is a good thing TO |
talk about, and be proud of. but tact |
is useful, portable, always marke- /
etable. 1t is the talent of talents, !
the availableness OF resources, the |
applicability of power, the eye OF |
discrimination, the right haud OF an
tellect.