Robert G. Ingersoll Quotes

I believe and find in my study of art that the real artist is nine-tenths of the time a craftsman, and it is only in that small one-tenth of the time that he rises to the elevated position of a prophet and a master.

Genius gives birth, talent delivers.

the distinction between talent and genius is definite. Talent combines and uses; genius combines and creates.

Anything is an art if you do it at the level of an art.

Talent works, genius creates.

Nature is the master of talents; genius is the master of nature.

If I have a talent, it lies in the creative process.

The difference between talent and genius is in the direction of the current: in genius, it is from within outward; in talent from without inward.

Men of genius are like eagles, they live on what they kill, while men of talents are like crows, they live on what has been killed for them.

Talent should minister to genius.

All men are creative but few are artists.

That talk of inspiration is sheer nonsense; there is no such thing. It is a mere matter of craftsmanship.

You can do something with talent, but nothing with genius.

Giving calls for genius.

Only talent interests me in paintings and books. Not general ideas, but the individual contribution.

Talent is that which is in a man's power; genius is that in whose power a man is.

Be a good craftsman; it won't stop you from being a genius.

Poetry demands a man with a special gift for it, or else one with a touch of madness in him.

Intelligence is not creative; judgment is not creative. If a sculptor is nothing but skill and mind, his hands will be without genius.

Talent is the ability to say things well, but genius is the ability to, well, say things.

The difference between Talent and Genius is that Talent says things which he has never heard but once, and Genius things which he has never heard.

Talent is what you possess; genius is what possesses you.

The moment you cheat for the sake of beauty, you know you're an artist.

Without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind.

A great artist is a great man in a great child.