genius - quotes

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, 1742-1799

was a German scientist, satirist and Anglophile

Everyone is a genius at least once a year. The real geniuses simply have their bright ideas closer together.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882

was an US essayist and poet

In every work of genius we see our own rejected thoughts.

( “Self-Reliance”, p 14, 1841 )

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832

was a German dramatist, novelist, poet, and scientist

If children grew up according to early indications, we should have nothing but geniuses.

Jonathan Swift, 1667-1745

was an Irish essayist, novelist, and satirist

When a true genius appears in this world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.

( “Thoughts on Various Subjects” )

Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882

was an US essayist and poet

The peril of every fine faculty is the delight of playing with it for pride. Talent is commonly developed at the expense of character, and the greater it grows, the more is the mischief. Talent is mistaken for genius, a dogma or system for truth, ambition for greatest, ingenuity for poetry, sensuality for art.

George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950

was an Irish dramatist and socialist

Common sense is instinct. Enough of it is genius.

Denis Diderot, 1713-1784

was a French author, encyclopedist, and philosopher

Genius is present in every age, but the men carrying it within them remain benumbed unless extraordinary events occur to heat up and melt the mass so that it flows forth.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832

was a German dramatist, novelist, poet, and scientist

Beware of dissipating your powers; strive constantly to concentrate them. Genius thinks it can do whatever it sees others doing, but is sure to repent of every ill-judged outlay.

Oscar (Fingall O'Flahertie Wills) Wilde, 1854-1900

was an Irish dramatist, novelist, and poet

I have nothing to declare except my Genius.

( As he passed through customs in New York )

Albert Einstein, 1879-1955

was an US (German-born) physicist

Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices, but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence and fulfills the duty to express the results of his thought in clear form.

( New York Times, March 19, 1940 )

Albert Einstein, 1879-1955

was an US (German-born) physicist

Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... it takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage — to move in the opposite direction.