Genius is the ability to act rightly without precedent--the power to do the right thing the first time.

Genius is the ability to act rightly without precedent--the power to do the right thing the first time.

Many men of genius must arise before a particular man of genius
can appear.

Many men of genius must arise before a particular man of genius
can appear.

His genius he was quite content in one brief sentence to define; Of inspiration one percent, of perspiration, ninety nine.

His genius he was quite content in one brief sentence to define; Of inspiration one percent, of perspiration, ninety nine.

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.

The first and last thing required of genius is the love of truth.
[Ger., Das erste und letzte, was read more

The first and last thing required of genius is the love of truth.
[Ger., Das erste und letzte, was vom Genie gefordert wird, ist
Wahreits-Liebe.]

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

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

Patience is a necessary ingredient of genius.

Patience is a necessary ingredient of genius.

When a true genius appears in this world you may know him by the sign that the dunces are all read more

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

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.