Charles Caleb Colton Quotes

By different methods different men excel, but where is he who can do all things well?

Universality is the distinguishing mark of genius. There is no such thing as a special genius, a genius for mathematics, or for music, or even for chess, but only a universal genius. The genius is a man who knows everything without having learned it.

The term 'renaissance man' is always bandied about. I don't think that applies to me. You think about Leonardo da Vinci, and he was a painter and a physicist and an architect, and that is a true renaissance man.

You have tons of talents everywhere you go, so you can't be stuck to only one promotion.

I figure J-Lo does all these movies and all these videos and all this other stuff...I know I can play tennis and act and do photo shoots and model. I know I can do all that.

The only term I won't accept is "genius."

Neither can we admit that definition of genius that some would propose--"a power to accomplish all that we undertake;" for we might multiply examples to prove that this definition of genius contains more than the thing defined. Cicero failed in poetry, Pope in painting, Addison in oratory; yet it would be harsh to deny genius to these men.

I've got more than one string to my bow, and I thought I'd give this one a twang.

The psychical condition of men's minds may be compared with a set of bells close together, and so arranged that in the ordinary man a bell rings only when one beside it sounds, and the vibration lasts only a moment. In the genius, when a bell sounds it vibrates so strongly that it sets in action the whole series, and remains in action throughout life. The latter kind of movement often gives rise to extraordinary conditions and absurd impulses, that may last for weeks together and that form the basis of the supposed kinship of genius with insanity.

Some people come by the name of genius in the same way that certain insects come by the name of centipede -- not because they have a hundred feet, but because most people can't count above 14.

There is hardly a more common error than that of taking the man who has one talent, for a genius.

Genius does not need a special language; it uses newly whatever tongue it finds.

Genius is its own end.

I'm not a one-trick horse.

In a world where you are constantly asked to be 'committed,' it is liberating to give yourself the license to be a dilettante. Commit to nothing. Try everything.

parents are too apt to mistake inclination for genius.

Talent wears well, genius wears itself out; talent drives a snug brougham in fact; genius, a sun-chariot in fancy.

The word genius was whispered into my ear, the first thing I ever heard, while I was still mewling in my crib. So it never occurred to me that I wasn't until middle age.

Genius is only a superior power of seeing.

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

Adrian, you're a genius.

It is not the genius at the top giving directions that makes people great. It is great people that make the guy at the top look like a genius.

Messi is a genius. He has everything. When I watch him, I see a player who is very, very skilful, very clever and his left foot is like Diego Maradona's.

I like to think of myself as versatile, and I certainly have the most varied career, so I'm very, very lucky in that.

I've plenty of bows to my string.