Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. Quotes

The thing that most people call 'genius' I do not believe in.

Who in the same given time can produce more than others has vigor; who can produce more and better, has talents; who can produce what none else can, has genius.

People think I must have been so talented at an early age, but I don't know - was it talent or hard work? Who knows?

Genius is immediate, but talent takes time.

The jury is still out on whether I'm a genius or not.

Of course not. After all, I may be wrong.

Was he smart? No, not exceptionally. Instead, he was a genius.

Common sense is only a modification of talent. Genius is an exaltation of it. The difference is, therefore, in degree, not nature.

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

Talent is a tenant in the house owned by genius.

Genius. It's a word. What does it really mean? If I win I'm a genius. If I don't, I'm not.

When you're talented, you're talented.

Genius is independent of situation.

They say I'm a natural, I have natural charisma. People say that. I don't know.

I'm a terrible singer. I feel lucky to play baseball. You can't be gifted in everything.

I had no intention of being an actor. I was quite good at it. I was pretty capable at other things but never any good at anything.

To my mind, talent doesn't really exist.

Talent is a flame. Genius is a fire.

I'm certainly the last person to give advice on, well, anything.

Look at the real prodigies, and I look like nothing compared to them.

I never said I was a genius.

Organization cannot make a genius out of a dunce.

I think it gets overused and tossed around in ways that aren't true. Every impressive achievement is not genius.

I don't know what 'genius' even means. It's just a matter of keeping your eye on the ball.

I don't think I'm a genius. Not yet.