The consequence is that they inspire neither admiration nor confidence on the part of their superiors, and cut off almost every chance of success.

There is a loose, perfunctory method of doing one's work that never merits advance, and very rarely wins it.

Instead of buckling to their task with all the force they possess, they merely touch it with the tips of their fingers, their rule apparently being, the maximum of ease with the minimum of work.

The principle of Strafford, the great minister of Charles I., is indicated by his motto, the one word "Thorough." It was said of King Hezekiah, "In every work that he began, he did it with all his heart and prospered." The stone-cutter goes to work on a stone and most patiently shapes it.
He carves that bit of fern, putting all his skill and taste into it.

And by-and-by the master says, "Well done," and takes it away and gives him another block and tells him to work on that.