Quotes About Talent

There are hardly any exceptions to the rule that a person must pay dearly for the divine gift of the creative fire.

Those who are blessed with the most talent don't necessarily outperform everyone else. It's the people with follow-through who excel.

Many medal winners dream of competing in a sport other than the one they're famous for.

He had to do them, to show he was the best.

Elizabeth was not playing for the sake of exhibiting her virtuosity: she played for joy.

Just the actual physical ability to hold four instruments simultaneously and do some of the things that Vivien was able to do is mind blowing to any surgeon. He never went to medical school and he became one of the great teachers of medicine himself, people are just amazed.

she took over the lead spot in Glass House, a group that recorded only a few records.

Does advanced ability deserve the same investment of time, money, and attention as disability?

Unless we understand how it really works and find a a way to express it, giftedness can become a heavy burden.

Likewise, these unidentified geniuses wrestle with self-doubt despite their confident and accomplished facade.

gifted children perceive the world in fundamentally different ways

An ounce of passion can inspire a pound of talent.

Be it in you, or around you, harness genius.

Excellence in obscurity is better than mediocrity in the spotlight.

Flawed genius is better than flawless talent.

Geniuses' steps take you higher than talent's leaps.

To be envied for your giftedness is better than to be accepted for your untalentedness.

Two thirds of success is skill.

My mother is a professor of early childhood education. When I was two she would say she knew I was going to be an actor.

Would you rather be great at something you like, or just okay at something you love?

Even the most talented artists have flaws and limitations that no amount of training can overcome, just as even the most exceptional individuals have hang-ups and quirks that no amount of personal growth can erase. The artists we consider great are those who make their flaws and limitations somehow complement their strengths and contribute to their signature style.

Athletes who have been gifted with exceptional talent and other blessings that enable them to sail to the top of their sport—athletes like Cadel Evans—may therefore be doubly disadvantaged where resilience is concerned.

No matter how good you are at something there's always about a million people better than you.

So I was sitting behind the console looking at all these bands and thinking, "Most of the lyrics these guys are singing are pretty dreadful. I know I can do better than that." But I didn't want to be the guy singing, so I came up with this idea: maybe what I'll do is find a band and write the material, and they'll produce the material and I'll promote the band out there doing my songs.