It is the privilege of genius that to it life never grows commonplace as to the rest of us.

It is the privilege of genius that to it life never grows commonplace as to the rest of us.

The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read,
With loads of learned lumber in his head.

The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read,
With loads of learned lumber in his head.

To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for read more

To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men--that is genius.

The impenetrable stupidity of Prince George (son-in-law of James
II) served his turn. It was his habit, when any read more

The impenetrable stupidity of Prince George (son-in-law of James
II) served his turn. It was his habit, when any news was told
him, to exclaim, "Est il possible?"--"Is it possible?"

Any fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent.
It takes a touch of genius--and a lot read more

Any 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.

In every work of genius we recognise our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certain alienated read more

In every work of genius we recognise our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty.

Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent
perspiration.

Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent
perspiration.

The public is wonderfully tolerant. It forgives everything except genius.

The public is wonderfully tolerant. It forgives everything except genius.

But genius must be born, and never can be taught.

But genius must be born, and never can be taught.