There is a thin line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.
—Oscar Levant (1906–72) American Musician, Composer, Author, Comedian, Actor
You may try but you can never imagine what it is to have a man’s form of genius in you, and to suffer the slavery of being a girl.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius—and a lot of courage—to move in the opposite direction.
—E. F. Schumacher (1911–77) German Mathematician, Economist
Genius is seldom recognized for what it is: a great capacity for hard work.
—Henry Ford (1863–1947) American Businessperson, Engineer
History, though, shows us that the people who end up changing the world—the great political, scientific, social, technological, artistic, even sports revolutionaries—are always nuts, until they’re right, and then they’re geniuses.
—John Eliot (b.1971) American Psychologist, Academic
Accept your genius and say what you think.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Coffee is good for talent, but genius wants prayer.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The man who succeeds above his fellows is the one who, early in life, clearly discerns his object, and towards that object habitually directs his powers. Even genius itself is but fine observation strengthened by fixity of purpose. Every man who observes vigilantly and resolves steadfastly grows unconsciously into genius.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
A man’s genius is always, in the beginning of life, as much unknown to himself as to others; and it is only after frequent trials, attended with success, that he dares think himself equal to those undertakings in which those who have succeeded have fixed the admiration of mankind.
—David Hume (1711–76) Scottish Philosopher, Historian
Genius sees the dynamic purpose first, find reasons afterward.
—Walter Lippmann (1889–1974) American Journalist, Political Commentator, Writer
Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm.—It is the real allegory of the tale of Orpheus; it moves stones, and charms brutes.—It is the genius of sincerity, and truth accomplishes no victories without it.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Courage has genius, power, and magic in it. Only engage, and then the mind grows heated. Begin it and the work is completed.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
I put all my genius into my life; I put only my talent into my works.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Genius, in one respect, is like gold; numbers of persons are constantly writing about both, who have neither.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Genius lasts longer than Beauty. That accounts for the fact that we all take such pains to over-educate ourselves.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Patience is a necessary ingredient of genius.
—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81) British Head of State
Genius is essentially creative; it bears the stamp of the individual who possesses it.
—Anne Louise Germaine de Stael (1766–1817) French Woman of Letters
No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does.
—Christopher Morley (1890–1957) American Novelist, Essayist
No man ever followed his genius until it misled him.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
No enemy is so terrible as a man of genius.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Talent does what it can; genius does what it must.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
There is no great genius without some touch of madness.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Common sense is instinct. Enough of it is genius.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
Genius is childhood recaptured.
—Jean Baudrillard (1929–2007) French Sociologist, Philosopher
When the creations of a genius collide with the mind of a layman, and produce an empty sound, there is little doubt as to which is at fault.
—Salvador Dali (1904–89) Spanish Painter
Until one acknowledges the genius within oneself, one will have great difficulty recognizing it in others.
—David R. Hawkins (1927–2012) American Physician, Author
I divide my time as follows: half the time I sleep, the other half I dream. I never dream when I sleep, for that would be a pity, for sleeping is the highest accomplishment of genius.
—Soren Kierkegaard (1813–55) Danish Philosopher, Theologian
If children grew up according to early indications, we should have nothing but geniuses.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Genius without education is like silver in the mine.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
To see things in the seed, that is genius.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage