A genius is one who can do anything except make a living.

There was never a genius without a tincture of madness.

The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not "Eureka!" (I found it!) but "That's funny ..."

Since when was genius found respectable?

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "Press On" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration.

The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.

The world is composed of geniuses and idiots. I am unable to understand the one and unable to tolerate the other.

Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.

If I have been able to see farther than others, it was because I stood on the shoulders of giants.

Truly great madness can not be achieved without significant intelligence.

Everyone can be taught to sculpt: Michelangelo would have had to be taught how not to. So it is with the great philosophers.

"It is a rare mind indeed that can render the hitherto nonexistent blindingly obvious. The cry "I could have thought of that" is a very popular and misleading one, for the fact is that they didn't, and a very significant and revealing fact it is too."

"The function of genius is not to give new answers, but to pose new questions -- which time and mediocrity can solve."

"Doing easily what others find is difficult is talent; doing what is impossible for talent is genius."

"These are the prerogatives of genius: to know without having learned; to draw just conclusions from unknown premises; to discern the soul of things."

Everyone is born a genius, but the process of living degeniuses them.

Men give me some credit for genius. All the genius I have lies in this: When I have a subject at hand I study it profoundly. Day and night it is before me. I explore it in all its bearings. My mind becomes pervaded with it. Then the effort which I have made is what people are pleased to call the fruit of genius. It is instead the fruit of labor and thought.

"I know of nothing more important than perseverance. Genius, -- that power which dazzles mortal eyes, is oft but perseverance in disguise." -- Henry Austin

I'm not saying there's no such thing as genius. But if you're trying to choose between two theories and one gives you an excuse for being lazy, the other one is probably right.

[When asked how to distinguish a genius from a really smart person]: A really smart person will come up with what you would come up with, only faster. A genius will come up with something that you would never come up with, no matter how long you worked on it.