genius

Genius never desires what does not exist.

Geniuses are like thunderstorms. They go against the wind, terrify people, cleanse the air.

There are two kinds of geniuses. The characteristic of the one is roaring, but the lightning is meagre and rarely strikes; the other kind is characterized by reflection by which it constrains itself or restrains the roaring. But the lightning is all the more intense; with the speed and sureness of lightning it hits the selected particular points - and is fatal.

Talent warms-up the given (as they say in cookery) and makes it apparent; genius brings something new. But our time lets talent pass for genius. They want to abolish the genius, deify the genius, and let talent forge ahead.

Genius, like a thunderstorm, comes up against the wind.

The case with most men is that they go out into life with one or another accidental characteristic of personality of which they say: Well, this is the way I am. I cannot do otherwise. Then the world gets to work on them and thus the majority of men are ground into conformity. In each generation a small part cling to their "I cannot do otherwise" and lose their minds. Finally there are a very few in each generation who in spite of all life's terrors cling with more and more inwardness to this "I cannot do otherwise". They are the geniuses. Their "I cannot do otherwise" is an infinite thought, for if one were to cling firmly to a finite thought, he would lose his mind.

I have known no man of genius who had not to pay, in some affliction or defect either physical or spiritual, for what the gods had given him.

I don't speak for others and they don't speak for me. Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself; but talent instantly recognizes genius.

Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself; but talent instantly recognizes genius.

One is not born a genius, one becomes a genius.